Memphis Depay has signed a two-year deal with Brazilian club Corinthians after leaving Atletico Madrid last season.
The Athletic previously reported that the 30-year-old forward would become a free agent on June 30 after he did not meet the requirements to trigger a contract extension with Atletico.
The Netherlands international has now completed a move to Corinthians, signing a deal that will keep him at the Brazilian club until December 2026.
Memphis came through the ranks at PSV and has had spells at Manchester United, Lyon and Barcelona.
He joined Atletico from Barcelona in January 2023, with the club saying the forward had signed “for the remainder of the (2022-23) season and two more seasons” — implying his deal ran until next summer.
But Memphis’ contract actually stipulated that he had to play at least 45 minutes in 50 per cent of the games when he was available, otherwise, the agreement was not extended for the 2024-25 campaign.
Memphis featured 40 times for Atletico after joining from Barcelona but started only 14 times, therefore falling below the required threshold. In those games, the 30-year-old registered 13 goals and two assists.
Memphis’ international teammate Steven Bergwijn also completed a transfer this summer, joining Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad from Ajax.
His move drew disapproval from national team manager Ronald Koeman who left the 26-year-old forward out of his squad for the Netherlands’ Nations League games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany this month.
Koeman said: “The book is basically closed to him (Bergwijn). He knows what I think about this (his Saudi move). When you are 26, your main ambition should be sporting, not financial. These are choices that players make.
“I disapproved of Steven Bergwijn’s move to Saudi but with Memphis, it can be different. The level of the league in Brazil is different, so yes, he can still be part of the national team, but it depends on his fitness and if he reaches his level.”
(Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
