In November 2024, FC Tokyo signed a strategic partnership with SL Benfica, a club in the Primeira Liga (Portugal's top division), to share SL Benfica's expertise across the entire football department. This aims to expand opportunities for discovering and developing next-generation 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 inspections and repeated online exchanges with SL Benfica.
We are pleased to announce that from November 2025, two players from FC Tokyo U-18, Rento KAJIYAMA and Rikuto SOUMA, have been selected for a short-term study abroad program at SL Benfica.
□ Past Initiatives with SL Benfica
Partnership Start in November 2024
2024
10-day FC Tokyo Activity Observation by Benfica Consultant
December 4-day Benfica Activity Observation by FC Tokyo Staff
Irregular Online Staff Meetings
Mainly for sharing information related to scouting activities and player development.
2025
August FC Tokyo Staff's 2-Week Benfica Activity Observation
During the Benfica activity inspection, we conducted an inspection of the overall academy training as well as official match inspections including the top team.
Also, we heard about the concepts at Benfica from leaders in club management, player development, scouting, nutrition, psychology, analysis, and fitness.
November: Short-term study abroad by FC Tokyo Academy players and a two-week observation of Benfica activities by staff
FC Tokyo Academy players gain valuable experience at Benfica's facilities, coaching environment, and intense competitive atmosphere to become top players capable of competing globally in the future.
Also,the management staff and coaching staff of FC Tokyo Academy witness the cutting-edge coaching environment in Europe firsthand to gain insights for evolving our academy activities into a high-quality, global standard.
□ About Short-Term Study Abroad to SL Benfica
【Participants】
＜FC Tokyo U-18＞
Name: Rento KAJIYAMA (Kajiyama Rento)
Hometown: Kodaira City, Tokyo
Former Team: Izumi FC → FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi
Name: Rikuto SOUMA (Souma Rikuto)
Hometown: Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Former Teams: Kugayama Eleven F.C. → FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi
[Period]
Nov 8, 2025 (Wed) – Nov 18, 2025 (Tue)
[Main Activity Schedule]
・Participation in training of SL Benfica U-16 and U-17
・Living together in the dormitory
・Watching UEFA Champions League and UEFA Youth League matches
・Watching the domestic first division league, second division league, and academy league
[Player Comments]
□Player Kajiyama
"I am happy to be able to practice 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 stand right now.
Also, I think it would be great to experience the skills and physicality of overseas players of the same age group and further develop my own strengths.
I believe this will be a valuable experience that I can apply to 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 strong European club."
I want to take this opportunity to experience the differences in standards between Japan and Benfica, both on and off the pitch, and use that to fuel my personal growth.
I want to fully express my true self, become a much bigger player, and return to Japan. I will do my best."
