Benfica signs Belgium’s Witsel on 5-year contract

LISBON, Portugal (AP)—Benfica says it has signed Standard Liege midfielder Alex Witsel.

The Portuguese club says the 22-year-old Belgium international would be presented to fans at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon later Wednesday.

Standard Liege says Witsel signed a five-year contract with Benfica.

Witsel, who was voted Belgium’s Most Valuable Player in 2008, was suspended for eight Belgian league games in 2009 after breaking the leg of Anderlecht defender Marcin Wasilewski with a reckless tackle.