Jesse Lingard to reunite with former Manchester United teammate Memphis Depay in Corinthians Paulista after parting ways with FC Seoul (via Getty)
The Dutch midfielder Jesse Lingard is reportedly on the verge of completing a surprise move to the Brazilian giants Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. The 33-year-old midfielder has been without a club since leaving FC Seoul in December.
After weeks of speculation which were linking him to clubs in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States of America, Lingard now appears set for a new chapter in South America.The former Manchester United F.C. star could reunite with his old teammate Memphis Depay at Corinthians. The Dutch forward has been playing in Brazil since 2024. Reports claim negotiations are at an advanced stage, with only final details left to be resolved.
If completed, the move would mark Lingard’s first experience in South American football.
Jesse Lingard set for Brazilian switch after FC Seoul exit
Jesse Lingard left FC Seoul after two seasons in the K League. He scored 19 goals in 67 appearances for the South Korean club. In a farewell message, he explained that both parties decided to part ways. He shared that although the club wanted him to extend his stay, they mutually agreed to end the contract. Lingard described his time in Asia as special and said he would always appreciate the memories created there.
Since becoming a free agent, Lingard has been linked with several clubs. Teams in the Championship, the Eredivisie and Major League Soccer reportedly showed interest. However, negotiations did not lead to a deal. Talks with another Brazilian side also failed to move forward, which opened the door for Corinthians to step in.Corinthians are currently performing well in the Brazilian top division. The club has already secured domestic silverware and qualified for continental competition.
Depay has played an important role, scoring 19 goals in 73 matches. Notably, he scored the winning goal in the Copa do Brasil final.Lingard and Depay previously shared the field 31 times during the 2015-16 season at Manchester United. Depay struggled during his time in England and left the club in 2017 after scoring seven goals in 53 games. Lingard enjoyed more success, registering 35 goals in 232 appearances and winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.A reunion in Brazil could offer both the players a fresh opportunity to shine together once again.
