Former Real Madrid defender Marcelo has signed a contract through the end of 2024 to play for his old team, Fluminense.
After more than ten years away, the seasoned left-back, who began his career with the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A team, has returned to Brazil.
He progressed through the Rio de Janeiro team’s youth ranks before making his senior debut for them in 2005. He stayed with them until 2007.
After that, he joined Madrid, where he played an important role for the next 15 years and eventually became the most decorated player in Los Blancos’ history.
After leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, the 34-year-old signed for the Greek team Olympiacos in September, but he ended his contract last week.
That has paved the way for his return to Fluminense, who are looking to build on last year’s third-placed finish in Serie A as they head into the 2023 campaign.
The club previously expressed an interest in signing the defender last month, with Thiago Silva also mooted as a target.
𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 • 𝐁𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐚 • 𝐁𝐞𝐦-𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐚#WhereImFrom #MlkDeXerém #M12NoFlu pic.twitter.com/iUhWEua4N5
— Fluminense F.C. (@FluminenseFC) February 24, 2023
Marcelo celebrated the announcement with a post to social media, simply writing: “Back to the place where it all started.”
During his time at Madrid, the defender won an unmatched 25 honours, including six LaLiga titles and five Champions League crowns, winning the double during his last campaign.
At international level, he won 58 caps for Brazil between 2006 and 2018, and was a member of the squad that claimed victory at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013.
In addition, he was a two-time Olympic medallist with their under-23 squad, taking bronze at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012.