João Fonseca

A product of the club's development system, the central defender took his first steps at Águeda before joining Benfica's Aveiro training centre in 2017/18 and moving to the Caixa Futebol Campus at the age of 12.

Right-footed and comfortable in build-up play, he made his senior bow for the B team against Vizela in August 2024, still aged 17, and went on to become a regular starter in Liga Portugal 2. His progress was rewarded with a contract renewal until 2030 and with call-ups to the first-team squad, including a place on the bench for a UEFA Champions League tie against Juventus. He has also represented Portugal at youth international level.