Shao Ziqin Joins Benfica Women

On April 6, S.L. Benfica women's team announced the signing of Chinese international striker Shao Ziqin. They have agreed on a contract until 2029, with Shao set to join the team at the start of the 2026-27 season.

Shao Ziqin's contract with Jiangsu Women expired at the end of December last year. Last season, she helped Jiangsu finish as runners-up in the Chinese Women's Super League and was shortlisted as one of the candidates for the 2025 Chinese Women's Footballer of the Year. In the recently concluded AFC Women's Asian Cup, Shao Ziqin made five appearances for China (starting four times), contributing two goals and one assist to help the team reach the semi-finals.

Benfica said that Shao Ziqin had attracted interest from several European clubs before joining the club. She has already begun training with the team but will not be eligible to play competitive matches until the 2026-27 season.

Speaking about herself, Shao Ziqin said: “I am a player who never passes up any opportunity. I always give my all whenever a chance comes. I hope to score more goals, keep improving as a footballer, deliver strong performances for Benfica, and compete in the UEFA Women's Champions League.”

She also thanked the Benfica fans, expressing her desire to work with her teammates to show them "the joy of football" and to achieve success together with the club.

S.L. Benfica Women were promoted to the Campeonato Nacional Feminino in the 2018-19 season. Since the 2020-21 campaign, they have won the league title for five consecutive seasons. After 15 games this season, Benfica Women remain unbeaten with 11 wins and 3 draws (one game in hand), sitting top of the table with 39 points. The champions of the Campeonato Nacional Feminino qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League.