AC Milan’s Portuguese midfielder Rui Costa, who has one year left with the Italian side, is set to return to Lisbon-based Benfica.

The 34-year-old has terminated his contract with AC Milan and the Portuguese giants have offered him a one-year deal with the option of an extension for another year, sports daily Record reported Tuesday citing unnamed club officials.

“For now nothing has been finalized,” Costa told reporters as he arrived in Lisbon ahead of the European Under-21 Championship match between Portugal and France which he will attend later on Tuesday in the northern city of Braga.

“I believe that over the coming days I may have news for you. I am very pleased to be welcomed by fans, to see that Benfica players are happy about the possibility of my return,” he added.

Costa joined Fiorentina from Benfica in 1994 after three seasons with the Lisbon team. He signed a five-year contract with AC Milan in July 2001 in a deal worth 33 million euros (40 million dollars) which he later extended until 2007.

The player, who has for years said he would like to end his career at Benfica, retired from international football in July 2004 after the end of the European football finals in which hosts Portugal finished in second place.

Source:Worldcup