)
An erstwhile Manchester United player has left European football for the Brasileiro on a two-year deal.
Former Atletico Madrid forward Memphis Depay has joined Brazilian club Corinthians on a two-year contract.
Why Depay left Atletico
After the 30-year-old’s contract with the LaLiga side expired, Depay became a free agent and chose to continue his career in Brazil.
The Dutchman’s move to Corinthians marks his latest adventure outside European football, having previously played for PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Lyon and Barcelona.
His time at Atletico was cut short due to a contract clause that required him to play at least 45 minutes in 50 percent of the games when he was available, otherwise, the agreement was not extended for the 2024-25 campaign, as per The Athletic.
)
Despite scoring 13 goals and providing two assists in 40 appearances for Atletico, the forward did not meet the required playing time threshold, thus leading to his departure from the club and subsequent move to Brazil.
Depay's best spell in European football came at PSV and Lyon, either side of a torrid time in the Premier League with Manchester United, where he netted seven times in 53 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils after joining on June 12, 2015.
)
He departed for the Ligue 1 side in January 2017, less than two years after moving to English football.
What comes next?
Depay will hope to get off to a quick start for struggling Corinthians, currently sitting in the relegation zone after 25 games played.
The 17th-placed club, two points from safety, next face Botafogo in the Brasileiro on June 14 after a Copa do Brasil quarter-final with Juventude on Tuesday night.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)