Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has opened up on his decision to rejoin his boyhood club Gremio.
The 35-year-old came through the youth set-up with the Brazilian club before he made the move to Liverpool in 2008. He made over 340 appearances for the Reds in his nine years on Merseyside.
He eventually joined Lazio in 2017 where he has spent the last five campaigns. His contract with the Serie A club came to an end this summer and he's now returned to his homeland on a free transfer.
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Leiva was officially unveiled as a Gremio player earlier this week and he's explained his decision to return to his previous club.
He told a press conference after completing the move : “Gremio for me was the beginning of the dream. In football, sometimes we plan and it doesn’t work out, but the time to come back has arrived. For me, it doesn’t matter where Gremio is, what matters is having the opportunity to represent this team that means so much to me.
“The Club made an effort to bring me and I made an effort to return, the most important thing is to put vanities and ego aside for a single objective, which is to return to Serie A."
Leiva has signed a deal until December 2023 and will wear the number 15 shirt, the same one he wore after he was initially promoted to their first team in 2005. The club's vice president Denis Abrahao also said: "Congratulations to everyone on the great hiring that was made. Lucas insisted on coming to Gremio, even though he had better proposals.
"We are very happy. Thank you for giving in. It is a privilege to have you here."
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