Former Falconets forward Flourish Sabastine has landed at one of Europe’s most decorated women’s clubs, signing a three year deal with Portuguese champions Benfica.
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Former Falconets forward Flourish Sabastine has joined reigning Portuguese women’s league champions Benfica on a three year deal that will run until 2029, the club confirmed in a video posted on their official X account on Monday.
Sabastine arrives at Benfica from Turkish club Fenerbahce, where she spent just a single season after signing in July 2025. During her time in Istanbul, the forward scored 12 goals in 25 appearances and played a role in helping Fenerbahce win the Turkish Women’s Super League title.
A Well-Travelled Career In Europe
The move continues what has already been a well-travelled European journey for the 21 year old, who previously played for French club Stade de Reims before a spell at Turkish giants Galatasaray. Fans following Nigerian players’ progress in Europe can also check fixtures and offers via the Bet9ja promotions page. (Betting advertisement, 18+ only)
Sabastine featured for the Falconets squad at both the 2022 and 2024 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and went on to make her senior Super Falcons debut on October 6, 2022, coming off the bench to replace Uchenna Kanu in the closing stages of a 2-0 friendly defeat to Japan.
Joining One Of Portugal’s Grandest Institutions
Benfica’s women’s team was founded on December 12, 2017, and has quickly established itself as a dominant force domestically, winning six consecutive First Division titles alongside a Second Division crown, three Portuguese Cups, a record five League Cups and three Super Cups. Sabastine now joins a squad with genuine continental ambitions as she looks to build on her productive spell in Turkish football.
Did You Know?
- Flourish Sabastine was born in Aba, Abia State, on October 20, 2004, and began her senior career with Bayelsa Queens in the Nigeria Women’s Football League.
- She scored the only goal as the Falconets beat France 1-0 at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, having finished as Nigeria’s top scorer during the African qualifying series.
- At the 2024 edition of the tournament, she struck a dramatic 86th-minute winner against South Korea in Nigeria’s opening group game in Bogota.
- That victory extended Nigeria’s record to four consecutive wins over South Korea at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
- Sabastine was named among Nigeria’s top 10 players of 2024 on an industry ranking compiled by Queenballers.
- Before joining Fenerbahce, she had a one-year stint at Galatasaray, having signed for the Istanbul giants in November 2024.
- Her move to Benfica reunites her with one of Europe’s most successful women’s sides outside the traditional powerhouse leagues, with the club dominant domestically since 2019.
