Flamengo have confirmed the signing of West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
The 28-year-old made clear his intention to return to Brazil this month, and the Hammers confirmed earlier this week that they had reluctantly given their No10 permission to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical with his boyhood club.
Paqueta moved to the London Stadium in 2022 from Lyon, as the Irons smashed their club record transfer fee to acquire his services for £51million, but he now moves on for a figure of £36.5m.
He will wear the No20 shirt at Flamengo.
The Brazilian international played 139 times for the east London club, scoring 23 goals and laying on 15 assists.
During his time in England, Paqueta was investigated by the FA for potential betting breaches, although he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
WELCOME HOME, LUCAS PAQUETÁ ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/TWeeC7g4vE
— FL4MEN9O (@Flamengo_en) January 30, 2026
Nuno Espirito Santo had said earlier this month that he had hoped to keep one of his star players as West Ham fight to avoid the drop this season, but he could not convince Paqueta to stay put.
The Hammers have been active in the January transfer market, bringing in two strikers - Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe - while also signing young forward Keiber Lamadrid.
Adama Traore was their most recent recruit, after the Spaniard joined from Fulham earlier this week.
They are also in talks to sign Chelsea’s Axel Disasi, with the Hammers wanting to sign the Frenchman on loan, but the Blues would prefer a permanent sale.
