FERNANDINHO has sealed an emotional return to Athletico Paranaense 17 years having run his contract down at Manchester City.
The Citizens legend, who made 383 appearances during his nine years at the Etihad, has penned a two-year contract at the club in Curitaba, in the south of Brazil.
Manchester City legend Fernandinho has returned to former employers Athletico Paranaense Credit: https://twitter.com/AthleticoPR/status/1541499117905518593
Fernandinho has agreed a contract until 2024 at the Arena da Baixada Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfUqJBMu1Hr/?hl=en Former Shakhtar Donestsk midfielder Fernandinho came through the ranks at his boyhood club before making his professional debut in 2002.
The 37-year-old spent three years in the first team at the Brazilian outfit before he departed for Ukraine in 2005.
But he has decided to link up with boss Luiz Felipe Scolari at his old stomping ground after turning down offers from multiple clubs.
Speaking at his unveiling on Monday, the Samba star said: “Without a doubt, I am fulfilling a personal wish, a dream to wear the Athletico shirt again.
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Lewandowski to Barca ‘near completion’, Botman SIGNS for Newcastle “We had numerous proposals, from several different clubs, from Brazil and abroad.
“But the most sensible decision was to return home and try to deliver my best here at Athletico now.
“Establish a brand that will end my career playing for just three clubs: two in Europe and one in Brazil.
“I’m very happy, I thank my family, which has always supported me in this decision.
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“Not only my heart, but all of us ended up speaking louder at that moment.”
President Mario Celso Petraglia added: “Athletico’s dream is coming true, to return to his home.
“We kept in touch all these years, since he was sold to Shakhtar Donetsk. We follow his spectacular career.
“He was, without demerit to the others, the athlete who had the most prominence among those who passed here.
“Kleberson was five-time world champion, but he didn’t have the career that Fernandinho managed to develop.
“It will help us in this level change that we are working on. Getting Fernandinho in was not easy. He showed from the first moment that his intention was to return to Athletico.
“But the pressure of the whole world and of several Brazilian clubs, wanting to have him in the group. He remained faithful, the good son to the house makes.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
