Spanish first division side Valencia signed Portugal defender Miguel from Benfica to a five-year contract on Friday.

The club gave no details of the transfer fee, but leading sports daily Marca said the 25-year-old cost nearly 8 million euro (9.7 million US dollars).

Valencia's Spanish international defender, Carlos Marchena, said: "He is a very complete player, very interesting and with a very attacking nature."

Miguel, whose full name is Luis Brito Garcia Monteiro, is an attacking defender who scored 12 goals with Benfica over the past five seasons.

Miguel, who helped Benfica to the Portuguese league title last season, was also a regular starter in Portugal's run to the final of the European championship last year.

Valencia has recently competed with Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, but last season the 2004 league and UEFA Cup champion produced its worst finish since 1998.

Source: Xinhua