Benfica reach deal with Dortmund for midfielder Weigl

(Reuters) - Portuguese champions Benfica have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign German midfielder Julian Weigl for 20 million euros (17 million pounds), the clubs announced on Tuesday.

Weigl, 24, had been a permanent fixture in Dortmund's midfield since his move from 1860 Munich in 2015, making 171 appearances for the club and winning the DFB Pokal in 2016-17 and the German Super Cup earlier this season.

"Julian approached us with this wish and we agreed – also because of his service to the club," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said in a statement https://www.bvb.de/eng/News/Overview/Julian-Weigl-moves-to-Portugal. "We wish him all the best for the future."

Dortmund said the deal is subject to a successful medical exam, with Weigl expected to sign a contract in the coming days.

Benfica lead the Portuguese league standings with 39 points from 14 matches -- four points ahead of second-placed Porto -- and next play away at Vitoria Guimaraes on Saturday.

($1 = 0.8920 euros)

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim Coghill)