Triple jumper Pedro Pablo Pichardo has signed for Benfica after absconding from a Cuban training camp ©Getty Images

Cuban triple jumper Pedro Pablo Pichardo has signed for Benfica after absconding from a training camp in Germany.

The 23-year-old boasts the fourth furthest triple jump in history, achieving a distance of 18.08 metres in Havana back in 2015.

Pichardo, a silver medallist at the 2013 and 2015 IAAF World Championships, has reportedly been in conflict with the Cuban Athletics Federation.

Having left a Cuban training camp, it is claimed the triple jumper could face a ban from competing for the nation on the international circuit.

"I am very happy to wear the Benfica jersey,” the 2012 world junior champion told the Benfica official website.

“I want to represent the Club in the best possible way in all the competitions in which it is entered.

“I'm happy to be in Benfica, I want to do a good job at the Club, and that also goes back to jump more than 18m.

"I believe I will be able to do it again.”

Pichardo’s presentation took place at the Estádio da Luz, the stadium which is home to the multi-sports club’s famous football team.

Benfica vice-president Fernando Tavares welcomed the addition of Pichardo, who was forced to miss last year’s Olympic Games through injury.

"Benfica has just hired Pedro Pichardo, one of the best athletes in the world and, for us, is the best in triple jump," he said.

The move has raised questions over Pichardo’s international future, with a potential ban by Cuba likely to end his chances of competing at this year’s World Championships in London.

The prospect of changing allegiance to another nation is currently an avenue Pichardo would need to wait to explore.

It follows the IAAF Congress freezing all transfers of allegiance between countries with immediate effect in February.

A working group headed by Cameroon's Hamad Kolkaba Malboum is assessing potential changes to rules, primarily aimed at halting the exodus of African athletes to other countries.