Former Manchester City skipper returns to Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense

• Former Man City skipper will be rejoining his former Brazilian club.
• He began playing professional football in 2002.
• He will start playing for Brazil’s Atheltico from July 18.

Former Manchester City captain Fernandinho has rejoined his first club, Athletico Paranaense, according to a statement from the Brazilian club on Monday.

The 37-year-old midfielder, who departed City at the conclusion of last season after nine trophy-laden years in England, signed a contract for two-and-a-half years.

“It is with great satisfaction that I return home… Knowing that I can apply a little bit of everything I achieved in these years playing in Europe,” said Fernandinho in a press conference to unveil his arrival in the southern city of Curitiba.

Born in the state of Parana, whose capital is Curitiba, Fernandinho began his professional career in 2002 with Athletico before moving to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2005.

In 2009, Fernandinho grabbed the attention of City scouts after eight years in Donetsk in which he won six Ukrainian league titles, four Ukrainian Cups, and the UEFA Cup, the predecessor of the Europa League.

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By then, he had already won more than 50 caps for Brazil, helping them win the 2019 Copa America and competing in two World Cups.

At City, he earned five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, six League Cups, and a Champions League final appearance in 2021.

In April, he startled Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola by announcing he was departing at the end of the season.

He stated that he wished his children could watch him play for the team he supports.

Guardiola backed his decision and referred to Fernandinho as “an incredible player.”

Athletico are now third in the Brazilian division and will face Libertad of Paraguay in the final 16 of the Copa Libertadores.

Fernandinho will be available to Brazilian teams beginning on July 18, when new players can be registered.

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