Juventus midfielder Douglas Costa will return to his former club Gremio on loan, the Serie A giants have confirmed.
The 30-year-old, who spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan with Bayern Munich after falling out of favour in Turin, has sealed a move back to where he began his career, with the Campeonato Brasileiro outfit.
It brings an end to a decade-long spell in Europe that has seen him win league titles in three different countries and appear at the World Cup with the Selecao at Russia 2018.
What has been said?
"Douglas Costa has officially signed for Gremio on a free loan from Juventus," read an official Bianconeri statement.
"The Brazilian winger, who joined Juventus back in 2017 and spent this past season on loan at Bayern Munich, will wear the shirt of the Porto Alegre outfit until 30 June 2022."
What did Gremio say?
Juve were the first to confirm the deal and later on Friday, Gremio officially announced Costa's return.
The Brazilian club stated that should Juve not sign Costa to a new deal by the end of 2021, he would join them on a free transfer through December 2023.
Costa seals homecoming at last
The playmaker's return to his home country will surely stretch beyond the end of his year-long loan, given that his contract with Juventus will expire at the same time, paving the way for a free transfer to join Gremio for good.
It will mark an emotional comeback for a player who conquered a host of European leagues during his stay, emerging as something of an unsung hero for several leading sides.
He has endured a difficult few years since the World Cup, first falling out of favour at Juventus, before struggling to convince at former club Bayern, to whom he returned on a short-term deal.
Hansi Flick's side were uninterested in offering him a longer-term deal, paving the way instead for him to link back up with Gremio.
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