Former Manchester United and England international Jesse Lingard has finalised his transfer to Brazilian football club Corinthians, marking a significant new chapter in his career. The 33-year-old midfielder arrives as a free agent after his contract with FC Seoul in South Korea expired at the end of last year.
Lingard's Journey from Korea to Brazil
Lingard spent nearly two years with FC Seoul, making 67 appearances and scoring 19 goals during his tenure. His final season with the Korean club saw him net 13 goals in 41 matches, with his last appearance coming on December 10 in a 1–1 draw against Melbourne City during the AFC Champions League Elite stage.
Turning Down European Interest
The experienced midfielder rejected offers from several European clubs to join Corinthians. Wolves, Genoa, and West Ham United – where Lingard enjoyed a successful loan spell in 2021 – had all expressed interest in securing his services. Instead, the former Red Devil chose to continue his career abroad with the Brazilian giants.
Corinthians confirmed that Lingard has signed a contract until December of this year, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months if certain performance objectives are met. The Brazilian club already features another former Manchester United player in their squad – Dutch forward Memphis Depay.
Lingard's Enthusiasm for New Challenge
Upon completing his move, Lingard expressed his excitement about joining Corinthians. 'First, I saw the fans at the airport saying "Go, Corinthians! Go, Corinthians!"' the midfielder told the club. 'There is a lot of passion from the fans, which is wonderful to see.'
He continued: 'The players welcomed me with open arms, the coach, the director, it was great to meet them. My first impressions: very happy, I can't wait to play.'
Career Highlights and Recent History
Lingard's career includes over 230 appearances for Manchester United and 32 caps for the England national team, though he hasn't represented his country since 2021. He played a crucial role in England's run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
His time in English football concluded in 2023 when he departed Nottingham Forest after a single season with the club. The move to Corinthians represents Lingard's third club in as many years, following his spells with Nottingham Forest and FC Seoul.
The transfer sees Lingard join one of Brazil's most storied football institutions, bringing his experience and goal-scoring ability to South American football as he seeks to revitalise his career in a new continent.
