Athletico Paranaense have completed the signing of veteran midfielder Fernandinho on a two-year contract.
The 37-year-old will officially join the Brasileiro Serie A outfit when his contract with Manchester City expires on June 30.
Fernandinho leaves the Etihad Stadium after nine trophy-laden years with the Citizens, recording 26 goals and 33 assists in 383 appearances across all competitions as well, as winning 14 trophies including five Premier League titles.
The Brazilian now returns to his homeland to rejoin the club where he began his professional career back in 2002, spending three years with the club before joining Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005.
😍🌪️ Bem-vindo de volta, @fernandinho!
— Athletico Paranaense (@AthleticoPR) June 27, 2022
Welcome back, @fernandinho!
📸 José Tramontin/athletico.com.br #BemVindoFernandinho #WelcomeFernandinho pic.twitter.com/2MkzBmoWWX
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Fernandinho claimed that he is 'fulfilling a dream' in returning to Athletico Paranaense and has revealed that he intends to retire when his two-year deal expires.
"Without a doubt, I am fulfilling a personal wish, a dream to wear the Athletico shirt again," said the Brazilian. "Establish a brand that will end my career playing for just three clubs: two in Europe and one in Brazil."
Paranaense 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."
Fernandinho, who will wear the number five shirt, will now team up with former Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari at Paranaense, who are currently third in the Brasileiro Serie A table, five points behind league leaders Palmeiras.
Oliver Thomas
