Brazil`s Julio Cesar signs for Benfica

Lisbon: Brazilian international goalkeeper Julio Cesar has joined Portuguese side Benfica after being released by English Premier League outfit Queens Park Rangers, the Portuguese club announced on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old -- who had a mixed World Cup being hailed for his performance in the penalty shootout win over Chile in the last 16 but conceded seven in the semi-0final thrashing by Germany -- has signed a two-year contract with the Lisbon club, having had his contract in London cancelled. QPR said on their website that the player had left the club "by mutual consent with immediate effect". Having excelled with Inter Milan in Italy for several seasons, he raised more than a few eyebrows when he joined QPR, then in the Premier League, in August 2012. He stayed with the club even after they were relegated, but spent the end of last season on loan to Canadian club Toronto FC, and was still under contract at Loftus Road until June 2016.