Former Philadelphia Union Academy standout Marcos Zambrano has signed with SL Benfica, the club announced on Friday.

The forward, who is an experienced U.S. youth international, was called up into the U20 MNT and U19 MNT over the past few months. Last summer, he scored a brace in the MLS NEXT Cup Under-17 final, as the Union came from behind to beat the Columbus Crew by a 3-2 score.

"For me, being here is a dream. To be able to wear the jersey of one of the biggest teams in the world and a club that has one of the best academies in the world is a dream! I know that Benfica won the Youth League and that is the best Portuguese club. I am very happy and eager to play," Zambrano told slbenfica.pt.

Zambrano is a dual national that could also play for Ecuador.

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