Confirmed: Queens Park Rangers Goalkeeper Julio Cesar Completes Benfica Switch

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed that Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar has left the club by mutual consent and joined Portuguese side Benfica.

"QPR have agreed to release goalkeeper Julio Cesar, with the player set to sign for Portuguese side Benfica," a statement on QPR's official website read.

"The Brazilian, who was contracted until June 2016, has left Loftus Road by mutual consent with immediate effect.

"The 34 year-old joined QPR on a free transfer in August 2012, going on to make 27 starts in all competitions.

"The club would like to thank Julio for his services to QPR and wish him all the best for the future," the statement added.

Julio joined the English side in 2012 from Serie A club Inter Milan, and went on to make quite an impression in his first season in England. Even though QPR were relegated at the end of the season, the goalkeeper was sort after by many clubs in the Premier League.

It was believed that he was close to a switch to Arsenal last summer, but the move failed to materialise and he remained with the west London side.

However, after the return to the championship, the Brazilian number one found himself in and out of the team and eventually lost his place in the starting XI to Robert Green.

He was then loaned out to MLS side Toronto FC, in order to keep himself fit for the World Cup. Julio had an up and down tournament in Brazil and after which he returned to London.

It is believed that the Brazilian goalkeeper has signed a two-year deal with the Portuguese giants and will replace Jan Oblak, who left Benfica to join Atletico Madrid in Spain earlier this summer.