Lucas Paqueta signs for Flamengo in record South American deal / Photo: Ben STANSALL - AFP/File
-
Singer Luisa Sonza shares 'unique experience' of Coachella debut
-
Australia names Coyle first woman to lead army
-
Rashford with point to prove as Barca target Atletico comeback
-
Iran executed at least 1,639 people in 2025, most since 1989: NGOs
-
Nuggets roll into NBA playoffs, Raptors clinch berth
-
Flagg's sensational rookie season ends with injury
-
Trump says 'not a big fan' of Pope Leo after his anti-war message
-
Spain's Sanchez calls China trade imbalance with EU 'unsustainable'
-
Oil surges, stocks fall as Trump says to blockade Strait of Hormuz
-
Rivers departing as Bucks coach after disappointing season
-
Raptors top Nets, grab No. 5 seed on last day of NBA regular season
-
Greece's ancient sites get climate-change checkup
-
Lost film of French cinema pioneer retrieved from US attic
-
Rory-peat at Masters has McIlroy hungry for more majors
-
Liverpool seek 'special' Anfield night to salvage troubled season
-
Pope Leo XIV heads to Algeria, first stop of African tour
-
Europe reacts to Hungarian leader Orban's electoral defeat
-
Rose frustrated by latest Masters near-miss
-
Scheffler left ruing slow start after Masters record bid falls short
-
Runoff looms as Fujimori leads troubled Peru vote
-
Spain's Sanchez seeks closer China ties amid strains with US
-
Genflow Biosciences PLC Announces International Patent Publication
-
Empire Metals Limited Announces Issue of Shares & Extension of Options
-
Alpha Launches Japan Fund with former Amova Team
-
Karol G to dance her 'Tropicoqueta' at Coachella
-
McIlroy wins second Masters in a row for sixth major title
-
Orban loses Hungary vote to pro-Europe newcomer after 16 yrs in power
-
Lebanon PM says working to get Israeli troop withdrawal
-
Easter truce between Ukraine and Russia ends
-
Villarreal add to Athletic misery, Oviedo survival hopes boosted
-
Peter Magyar: former govt insider promising system change
-
Inter close in on Serie A title after comeback triumph at Como
-
Exit stage right: Hungary's Orban 16-year rule draws to an end
-
Rose fights for Masters win with McIlroy, Young in hunt
-
Orban concedes 'painful' defeat to conservative Magyar in Hungary polls
-
Garcia warned after Masters meltdown
-
Delays mar vote as crisis-hit Peru picks ninth president in decade
-
Irish government announces tax cuts after fuel cost protests
-
Salt and Kohli in the runs as Bengaluru beat Mumbai in IPL
-
Rosenior admits Chelsea in 'difficult place'
-
Man City must respect Arsenal in title showdown: Guardiola
-
McIlroy begins Masters final round as repeat drama looms
-
Sinner sinks Alcaraz to win Monte Carlo Masters, returns to No.1
-
Stuttgart hammer Hamburg to go third in Bundesliga
-
De Zerbi suffers debut defeat as Spurs crisis deepens, City rampant
-
Delays mar voting as crisis-hit Peru picks ninth president in decade
-
Man City rout Chelsea to close gap on leaders Arsenal
-
Lille ease back into third in Ligue 1 with Toulouse win
-
After unsuccessful US-Iran talks, what next for Trump?
-
Galactic 'Super Mario' rules N. America box office for second week
Lucas Paqueta signs for Flamengo in record South American deal
Brazil's Flamengo have signed West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, the English club confirmed Wednesday, in a record transfer in South American football which local media said was worth 42 million euros ($50 million).
The Brazilian Paqueta, 28, was cleared in July of spot-fixing allegations that have hung over him and were seen as costing him a likely move to Manchester City two years ago.
West Ham said they had tried their best to convince him to stay, but "reluctantly" agreed to the transfer.
"Lucas has made it clear that, for personal and family reasons, he wishes to return home to Brazil and make a fresh start," said the statement.
The club confirmed that Paqueta "has been given permission to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with Brazilian club Flamengo, after a fee was agreed for his permanent transfer."
The record sale brings Paqueta back to Flamengo where he began his career before taking the leap to Europe in 2019.
Previously with AC Milan and Lyon, Paqueta played 18 matches for West Ham in the Premier League this season, scoring four goals.
Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista told journalists on Sunday he was focused on closing "the biggest transaction ever made by a football club" in South America.
Flamengo are one of Brazil's most successful and richest clubs, and last year won the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian title.
Brazilian media reported Paqueta had been signed for 42 million euros, before tax.
Last year, Flamengo paid 31.6 million euros for winger Samuel Lino from Atletico Madrid, according to their financial statements.
Brazilian clubs have a combined revenue approaching $2 billion, according to the latest annual report from the investment firm Galapagos Capital, thanks to a massive domestic market of more than 200 million people.
This financial power gives Brazil a significant advantage in the region.
Paqueta -- who was part of the 2022 World Cup team -- hopes to represent Brazil again this year at the tournament held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada between June 11 and July 19.
The midfielder is emerging from a two-year cloud of suspicion as England's Football Association (FA) investigated whether he was deliberately getting yellow cards after a series of suspicious betting patterns were noted.
The player maintained his innocence and after his acquittal, said he could "play football again with a smile on my face."
D.Moore--AMWN