Beste joined the Portuguese side from 1. FC Heidenheim last summer and went on to feature 22 times for the club across the league, Champions League and domestic cup competitions. The 26-year-old had scored eight goals and provided 13 assists in his debut Bundesliga campaign with Heidenheim, earning his first call-up to the Germany national team in March 2024. Beste's professional career began as a teenager at Borussia Dortmund (1 appearance for the first team in the DFB-Pokal), before stints at second-division side SSV Jahn Regensburg and Eredivisie outfit FC Emmen.

"There are moments where you can't afford to hesitate. The chance to bring Niklas into the fold was one of those moments," said SC sporting director Klemens Hartenbach. "Niklas can play in a number of different positions and is familiar with the Bundesliga. He has proven his abilities on the pitch on numerous occasions already. Now, he will have to get familiar with our style of play. We will immediately begin working with him on this and are already looking forward to it."

"I'm excited to be back in the Bundesliga and the meetings with SC made it clear that this would be the right fit. I have good memories of the atmosphere at the Europa-Park Stadion from my last visit here and I'm looking forward to getting to experience it as an SC player now. It's in my nature to jump in feet first straight away, which is what I want to do at SC from day one."

Beste will wear the number 19 shirt for the club. Both Freiburg and Benfica have agreed to keep the details of the transfer undisclosed.