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<v Speaker 1>Croatian international striker Franto Ivanovitch has chosen to join League

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<v Speaker 1>One side our Sea Lens over Sirie club Lasio. Following

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<v Speaker 1>weeks of competing negotiations across Europe, the twenty two year

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<v Speaker 1>old forward gave his final approval to the sporting project

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<v Speaker 1>presented by the French club, prompting Benfica to move forward

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<v Speaker 1>with the permanent transfer. The decision comes after an intense

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<v Speaker 1>pursuit by Lasio, where manager Gennaro Gatuso had identified Ivanovitch

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<v Speaker 1>as a primary target to bolster the Baianco Celestia attacking unit.

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<v Speaker 1>Lazio had reached an agreement in principle with Benfica structured

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<v Speaker 1>around a loan deal with an option to buy that

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<v Speaker 1>would transform into a mandatory purchase clause upon achieving European qualification. However,

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<v Speaker 1>Ivanovitch favored the direct guarantee and playing role offered by

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<v Speaker 1>our Sea Lens in France, leading the player's camp to

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<v Speaker 1>finalized terms with the League One outfit. From Benfica's perspective,

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<v Speaker 1>sanctioning Ivanovitch's departure allows the Portuguese club to recoup the

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<v Speaker 1>majority of their initial twenty two point eight million euro

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<v Speaker 1>investment made when they sign the forward from Union Saint

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<v Speaker 1>Galwas in the summer of twenty twenty five. Despite making

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<v Speaker 1>thirty one appearances and scoring five goals during his tenure

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<v Speaker 1>at the Estadio de Luz, Ivanovitch struggled to dislodge starting

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<v Speaker 1>striker Van Gelis Pavlodus. His pathway to regular minutes was

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<v Speaker 1>further restricted following Benfica's summer acquisition of Colombian forward Hon Duran.

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<v Speaker 1>With the player's preference firmly established, Benfica and RC Lens

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<v Speaker 1>are completing the final paperwork and administrative details to conclude

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<v Speaker 1>the transaction. Ivanovitch is expected to travel to France shortly

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<v Speaker 1>to complete his medical examinations and sign his contract ahead

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<v Speaker 1>of the upcoming League One campaign.