FC Tokyo has entered into a strategic partnership with SL Benfica, a member of the Primeira Liga (Portuguese League Division 1), in November 2024. By sharing SL Benfica’s expertise across the entire football division, the partnership aims to expand opportunities for discovering and developing the next generation of talent, as well as to promote the overall development of the club’s football aspects, including strengthening and football business.
So far, we have conducted mutual activity observations and engaged in online exchanges with SL Benfica.
We are pleased to announce that from November 2025, two players belonging to FC Tokyo U-18, Rento KAJIYAMA and Rikuto SOUMA, will undertake a short-term study abroad at SL Benfica.
□ Initiatives with SL Benfica to Date
November 2024 Partnership Launch
2024
10-Day FC Tokyo Activity Observation by Benfica Consultants
December 4-Day Benfica Activity Observation by FC Tokyo Staff
Irregular Online Staff Exchanges
Mainly sharing information related to scouting activities and player development.
2025
August: Two-week FC Tokyo staff observation of Benfica activities
During the Benfica activity observation, training sessions across the entire academy and official matches including the top team were observed.
Also, hearing about Benfica's concepts from leaders in the fields of club management, player development, scouting, nutrition, psychology, analysis, and fitness.
November: Short-term study abroad for FC Tokyo Academy players and a two-week Benfica activity observation by staff
FC Tokyo Academy players gain valuable experience at Benfica’s facilities, coaching environment, and intense competitive setting to become top players capable of competing globally in the future.
Also, the management staff and coaching staff of the FC Tokyo Academy will witness the cutting-edge coaching environment in Europe firsthand to gain insights that will help evolve our academy activities into a high-quality, global standard.
□About the Short-Term Study Abroad at SL Benfica
【Participating Players】
＜Belongs to FC Tokyo U-18＞
Name: Rento KAJIYAMA
Place of Birth: Kodaira City, Tokyo
Former Teams: Izumi FC → FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi
Name: Rikuto SOUMA
Place of Birth: Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Former Team: Kugayama Eleven F.C. → FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi
[Period]
Nov 8 (Wed), 2025 – Nov 18 (Tue), 2025
【Main Scheduled Activities】
・Participation in training with SL Benfica U-16 and U-17
・Living together in the dormitory
・Watching UEFA Champions League and UEFA Youth League matches
・Watching domestic first division, second division, and academy league matches
【Player Comments】
□ Player Kajiyama
"I am happy to be able to train together at Benfica, a club with wonderful facilities and an excellent environment.
I want to experience life at an overseas club and truly feel where I currently stand.
Also, I hope to experience the skills and physicality of overseas players of the same age and further develop my strengths.
I believe this will be a valuable experience that I can utilize in my future soccer career, so I will do my best!
□Player Soma
"I am very happy to have the opportunity to study abroad at SL Benfica, a competitive European club.
I want to take this opportunity to feel the differences in standards between Japan and Benfica, both on and off the pitch, and use that to fuel my growth.
In doing so, I want to fully express my individuality, become a bigger player, and return to Japan. I will do my best.
