Free agent Depay joins struggling Corinthians in Brazil

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Brazilian giants Corinthians have signed Dutch striker Memphis Depay, a free agent since his contract with Atletico Madrid expired in the summer.

“Memphis Depay is a Corinthians fan,” the club wrote on social media on Monday night.

The club added that the contract was “until 2026.” Local media reported that Corinthians, mired in financial troubles, would pay a total of about 70 million reais ($12.5 million) and that a team sponsor would cover part of the salary.

Depay, 30, started for the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 semi-final defeat to England and has scored 46 goals and provided 32 assists in 98 appearances for his country.

The forward came through PSV Eindhoven and had spells at Manchester United, Lyon and Barcelona before joining Atlético in early 2023. He has scored 13 goals in 40 appearances but his time at Madrid has been plagued by injuries.

Corinthians of São Paulo, known as “Timão”, is one of the teams with the most fans in the country, but is in the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship, occupying 17th place after 25 games, although it has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Sul-Americana.

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