Former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain right-back has joined Brazilian side Sao Paulo according to an official statement from the club. The 2019 Copa America star who led the Samba Boys of Brazil to the title has signed a contract with the Brazilian giants until December 2022, as it was announced on Thursday.
“For my country, for my people. For my beloved club.” @DaniAlvesD2 is here until 2022! ???? pic.twitter.com/10kLLLOrDI
— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC_eng) August 1, 2019
The veteran defender moved to Europe joining Spanish La Liga side Sevilla from Bahia in 2002. Alves joined Barcelona and later went on to play for Juventus before he became a free agent following his PSG departure after two years with the Ligue 1 champions.
Alves had been linked to former club Barcelona and some clubs in the English Premier League but he opted to return home to Brazil as he eyes the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“Daniel Alves is the embodiment of what this management envisions for Sao Paulo – one of the leading players in the world and recognised for his immense professionalism, his fierce determination and his endless thirst for titles and victories,” club president Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva said in an official statement after the capture of Alves.
“He is also a socially engaged citizen and passionate about our country. Sao Paulo, therefore, wins on every possible front. One day I told Daniel that he would come to play at Sao Paulo, the club of his heart. Today I have the immense joy and pride to have kept that promise.”
Alves’ transfer was announced with a video on Sao Paulo’s Twitter account, with the former PSG defender expressing his joy to be back in his native country playing for the club he supported as a child.
“I could’ve picked any other team to play for,” Alves said. “But I chose to come back to Brazil, to my country, to my people. To the club I love. It’s unreal, but I’m here!”
??? O meu craque veste a 10! É isso: @DaniAlvesD2 é o novo camisa 10 do Tricolor. Corre para comprar a sua, personalizada com o nome e o número dele: https://t.co/FqSdXLRPMh#DaniEstáAqui pic.twitter.com/MvM15DlIj8
— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) August 2, 2019
Sao Paulo also posted on Twitter that Alves would wear the No. 10 jersey at his new club. Last week, Alves took to social media asking fans where he should send his CV as he was in search of a new team.
Alves has now landed back in his home country, where he will play at the club level for the first time since 2002. Do you think Dani Alves would be a hit in the Brazilian football league?