Tita is the eighth new signing for the Women's football

Ana Filipa Capitão Lopes, known as Tita on the pitch, is the eight signing for the first ever Women's Football team of Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

“The first contact was with the gaffer João Marques and the invitation was made through him”, said the player in the first statements to BTV, revealing how she welcomed the challenge of joining the Reds.

A self-confessed Benfica fan, Tita is living a dream and, while she was visiting the Estádio da Luz, she did not hide the emotion.

“In this moment I have a sense of awe and of extreme happiness. It is a privilege to be in the best club in the world! Being a Benfica fan, I am biased but there is no club better than Benfica”, she revealed.

The Portuguese international, aged 28, (14/09/1989), born in Pedrógão Grande, plays in the midfield, has a vast experience, having already won two titles in the Women's National Championship… but she wants to win more, now with an eagle on her chest.

“I arrive to add my commitment, I am very persistent and my goal is to help Benfica win everything! I say this with no kind of presumption or disrespect for the other clubs, because that is what we are committed to doing”, she said.

Nurtured at Cadima (2009/10 to 2011/12), she played a season at Atlético Ouriense (2012/13), returning to Cadima in 2013/14. In 2016/17, she joined União Ferreirense, a club in which in the current season she played 20 matches and scored three goals.

With 1,75 m and 61 kg, the footballer graduated in Physiotherapy, who favors her right foot, already wore the National Team jersey on nine occasions.

“I represent the National Team since I was 16. When I started working as a physiotherapist, in 2012/13, football a bit put aside, it was not my priority”, explained the athlete, who expects now, at Benfica, to focus one hundred percent on her footballer career. 

This is the club first Women's Football team ever. “At this moment, I am proud to say that Benfica is different because by starting in the 2nd Division it shows moral and ethic and respect for all the clubs that fight for the Women's Football, something which is not easy”, she stressed.

To end, a promise and a very special wish: “We will give many joys to the Women's Football, to Benfica and to our supporters!”

The Portuguese international Tita is the eighth athlete signed and officially announced by Sport Lisboa e Benfica, this after the signing of the Brazilians Dani Neuhaus, Daiane Rodrigues, Ana Alice and Darlene de Souza Reguera, the Portuguese Carlota Cristo and Jassie Vasconcelos, and the Cape Verdean Evy Pereira. The head coach, João Marques, was also officially presented at Estádio da Luz.

SECURED SIGNINGS

Text: Sónia Antunes

Pics: Isabel Cutileiro / SL Benfica