Benfica Feminino has signed the Confederation of African Football's 2018 Women's Player of the Year, Thembi Kgatlana on a deal until the end of the season.

Kgatlana joins the Portuguese-outfit from Chinese Super League club Beijing BG Phoenix.

Benfica currently sits top of the Campeonato Nacional Feminino table, having only been promoted to the top-flight this season. 

The club's league position has already set her sights on success in Portugal, saying:

"I thank the fans for their support. We are in first place in the Championship and I ask that they continue to support us so that at the end of the season we can lift the trophy," she told the club's website.

"I am very excited to sign for Benfica. I thank the team, the President, and everyone for giving me the opportunity to come to Portugal and Benfica.

"Benfica is a great club in Portugal and known around the world. I have already had the opportunity to see history and records, and for me, it is a great honour to be part of such a great club." 

The 23-year-old has made 18 appearances for South Africa, playing for Banyana Banyana in the 2016 Summer Olympics, 2018 African Cup of Nations, the 2018 Cyprus Cup, and most recently in the 2019 Women's World Cup.

Prior to her stint in China, she played for Houston Dash in the 2018 National Women's Soccer League, appearing 16 times for the club.

Her new club's vice-president, Fernando Tavares outlined what an asset their new signing is and says they have "very high expectations" of her:

"We have very high expectations of Thembi. She was considered the best African of the year in 2018, she is a player with very strong characteristics, she is very fast, she can play one or two different positions," he told the club's website.

"This acquisition gives Benfica's attack several new options to add to the ones we already have."