Pablo Aimar, the Argentinia midfielder, has completed his £6 million move to Benfica, after rejecting the chance to join Newcastle United. The 28-year-old has agreed a four-year deal after joining the Portuguese champions from Real Zaragoza.

"I'm very happy," Aimar said. "Benfica is one of the biggest clubs in the world. The coach already knows me. I hope to play and enjoy myself."

Given that Newcastle were expecting to open negotiations over personal terms with Aimar’s representatives later this week, the sense of disappointment on Tyneside will be sharp.

While the 28-year-old’s physique may be slender, “The Little Clown” has been capped 51 times by his country and was hailed by Maradona as “the only current footballer I’d pay to watch”.

Aimar previously worked under Benfica's new Spanish scoach Quique Flores during his time at Valencia from 2000 to 2006.