Manchester City legend Fernandinho returns to Brazil's Athletico Paranaense
Football
By
Xinhua
| Jun 29, 2022
Veteran midfielder Fernandinho has returned to his former club Athletico Paranaense after parting ways with Manchester City.
The 37-year-old arrives as a free agent and will be tied to the Brazilian Serie A club until December 2024.
"It gives me great satisfaction to say that I'm coming home," Fernandinho told a news conference.
"I had numerous proposals from several different clubs in Brazil and elsewhere but the most sensible decision was to return here. I hope to apply the knowledge that I've gained from all of these years in Europe."
Fernandinho, who has been capped 53 times for Brazil, began his professional career at Curitiba-based Athletico Paranaense in 2002 before joining Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005.
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His performances for the Ukrainian club attracted City scouts and he moved to the Premier League club in 2013 for a reported fee of 34 million British pounds (around 46 million U.S. dollars at the current exchange rate).
He made 383 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions and gained a reputation as one of the most reliable holding midfielders in Europe. ■