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Former Chelsea and Arsenal forward Willian has returned to the Premier League after completing his one-year deal from Corinthians to Fulham.
The London club confirmed Willian’s transfer on their website in Thursday’s deadline day.
“The Club is delighted to announce the signing of Willian on a one-year deal.
“A 70-cap Brazil international, the versatile attacking midfielder arrives on a free transfer following his departure from Corinthians earlier this month.
In just 17 senior appearances as a teenager at Corinthians, Willian had done enough to convince Shakhtar Donetsk to part with $19m to bring him to Ukraine, where he added further style to a squad already rich in Brazilian flair.
He had five-and-a-half incredibly prosperous years in Donetsk, winning the Premier League four times, the Cup three times, and the UEFA Cup once, a period in which he scored 37 goals and assisted 63 more in 221 appearances, while he was also named the league’s best player in 2011.
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In January 2013, Willian joined the ambitious, yet short-lived, project that was unfolding in Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala, but moved to Chelsea later that year – the two deals totalling more than £60m.
He won every domestic trophy going during his time in SW6.
A Premier League winner in 2015 and 2017, Willian also won the FA Cup and League Cup, while tasting success in Europe once again as the Blues defeated Arsenal 4-1 in the 2019 Europa League Final.
He departed the club after seven years, having won player of the year, goal of the season, and players’ player of the year, registering 63 goals and 62 assists in his 339 appearances.
“Willian stayed in London for a further year, racking up eight goal involvements for Arsenal in a season in which they reached the Europa League Semi-Finals, before returning to first club Corinthians last summer.
“Since making his debut for Brazil in 2011, Willian has represented his country on 70 occasions, scoring nine times. He competed at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, and featured four times in their 2019 Copa America triumph.
Speaking to FFCtv, Willian said: “I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to be back in the Premier League.
“Fulham is a special club, a club that wants to improve, that wants to fight for something bigger, so I’m here to help, and I cant wait to get started.”
