Brazilian forward Robinho during his stint with Guangzhou Evergrande. (Photo : Getty Images)
Brazilian footballer Robson de Souza, more popularly known as Robinho, is reportedly returning to his home country next season to play for Brazilian Serie A squad Clube Atlético Mineiro after an almost seven-month stint with five-time Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.
The 32-year-old forward was signed by the Southern China Tigers in July of last year into a short six-month contract that expired on Feb. 1. He helped lead Guangzhou to its fifth straight CSL title last season and to its second AFC Champions League trophy in three years last December.
Robinho played under countryman and World Cup-winning head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari during his brief time in China with fellow Brazilians striker Elkeson, who is now with Shanghai SIPG, midfielder Paulinho, forward Alan Carvalho, and winger Ricardo Goulart.
Caught Offside reported that Robinho "confirmed that he is returning to Brazil to sign for domestic heavyweights Atlético Mineiro".
Robinho was speculated to pursue a return stint to the English Premier League, where he played from 2008 to 2010 for powerhouse team Manchester City, with either Sunderland or Newcastle United, but he instead decided to go back home as he moves on into the twilight of his career.
He received some criticisms for not choosing his former Brazilian squad Santos FC, where he had three previous stints, in his return home, but the 5-foot-8 striker simply dismissed the talks.
The former Real Madrid and AC Milan standout began his senior career with Santos in 2002 and had stayed with the club until 2005 before he was signed by Los Blancos in La Liga.
He remained in the Spanish capital city until 2008 before moving on to England, then went back to Santos on loan in January 2010.
Robinho then moved to Italian club Milan in August 2010 for a transfer fee of £15 million, but he spent the 2014-2015 on loan again to Santos prior to his China stint.
"Forward Robinho is the new signing of Atlético Mineiro," an official statement from the Galo said on Thursday, as per ESPN.
"His signing was announced in the early afternoon by president Daniel Nepomuceno, on his Twitter account. Robinho will sign with the Galo for two seasons," the statement continued.
Another Premier League squad interested in Robinho is said to be current league leaders Leicester City, who tried snagging him during this January transfer window. Still, the São Vicente, Brazil native pushed through with his plan to head home this season.
