Alex returns to boyhood club Coritiba

CURITIBA, Brazil

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Brazilian star Alex de Souza has completed a return to his boyhood club, Coritiba, the premier league club announced on Oct. 17.

Coritiba announced on its official website that the 35-year-old had signed a two-year deal.

Alex, who ended an eight-year spell at Fenerbahçe earlier this month, has been attracting the interest of many Brazilian clubs, including former teams Cruzeiro and Palmeiras, but the attacker chose Coritiba, the team of his hometown, Curitiba.

The Brazilian superstar, whose abrupt departure from Fenerbahçe sent shockwaves through Turkish football, said he had always been thinking about returning to Coritiba.

“In 1997 I didn’t promise anyone, but I made a promise to myself that I would one day return to wearing this wonderful shirt,” he was quoted as saying on the official Coritiba website. “I always dreamt of a return and now it’s coming true.”

“I am insignificant when compared with Coritiba and it’s fans. I want us to succeed and fulfill the dream together,” he added.

Alex was set to be unveiled as a Coritiba player during the team’s league match later yesterday.
The Brazilian requested the termination of his contract at Fenerbahçe on Oct. 1, hours after the club left him out of its first team.

Alex, who has been the most prolific football in Turkish football over the last decade, held a lengthy press conference prior to his departure for Brazil, at which he described problems with the club board and management.