Philippe Coutinho Joins Neymar at Santos After Seven Months Out of Football

Santos have signed former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho on a deal running until the end of 2026.

The 34-year-old had been without a club since leaving Vasco da Gama in February.

The move will make Coutinho and Neymar club teammates for the first time after years playing together for Brazil.

Neymar was involved in bringing Coutinho to Santos and publicly welcomed his former international teammate before the transfer was announced.

Coutinho has not played a competitive match for seven months and will follow an individual conditioning programme before making his Santos debut.

The move continues an extraordinary career path for the Brazilian.

Coutinho became a Premier League star at Liverpool before joining Barcelona in a transfer worth up to £142 million in 2018.

He later played for Bayern Munich and Aston Villa before returning to Brazil with Vasco da Gama.

Coutinho left Vasco in February and has spoken about suffering from mental exhaustion.

Seven months later, his career restarts at Santos alongside Neymar.

Sources

• UOL – Santos confirm Philippe Coutinho signing
• L’Équipe – Coutinho signs for Santos and joins Neymar