Brazil's Willian leaves Arsenal for boyhood team Corinthians

Brazilian winger Willian said on Monday he will join his boyhood club Corinthians after terminating his contract with Arsenal.

The 33-year-old Willian reached an agreement to leave the English Premier League club hours earlier.

Willian spoke to Corinthians fans in a live broadcast with club president Duilio Monteiro Alves. He started his career at the Sao Paulo-based club, from where he left for Shakhtar Donetsk at age 17 in 2007.

“I am ready. I am here anxious to get back and wear this shirt,” the winger said.

The Brazil international joined Arsenal from Chelsea at the start of last season and made 37 appearances for the club. He had two more years on his contract.

Willian's best moments were at Chelsea, where he played from 2013-20. He won two Premier League titles and a Europa League trophy.

The winger played for Brazil in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

Corinthians is sixth in the Brazilian championship table after 18 matches. Arsenal is on the bottom of the Premier League with no points after three rounds.

Willian did not play on Saturday at Arsenal's 5-0 humiliation at Manchester City.