Brazilian attacking midfielder Willian is returning home. The 33-year-old star will sign with Brazil’s Série A side Corinthians after agreeing to a mutual contract termination with Arsenal.
Willian will leave Arsenal despite having two years left on the contract that paid him around $330,000 per week. The Premier League club confirmed the move on their official social media.
“He had two more years to run on his contract, but following positive and constructive recent discussions with him and his team, he will be leaving for a new opportunity with Corinthians in Brazil, where he began his career,” said the club in a statement. “Everyone at Arsenal wishes Willian and his family well for the future.”
Willian joined Arsenal as a marquee free agent last summer after previously spending seven years with the club’s cross-town rivals Chelsea. He was expected to be one of the key players at Emirates Stadium upon his arrival but managed only one goal and seven assists in all competitions in 2020-21.
However, Willian isn’t the only one to blame for his unsuccessful stint with Arsenal. The team struggled as a whole last season, while manager Mikel Arteta didn’t do him any favors as well. Arteta failed to play Willian consistently at his natural position and didn’t manage to find the best way to use him.
Willian spent his entire youth career with the Corinthians while also playing two seasons for the first team before making a transfer to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2007. He also had a brief stint with Anzhi Makhachkala before securing a move to Chelsea.
