Brazil star Neymar completes move back to first club Santos

Neymar has completed his return to Santos, the Brazilian club have announced.

Using the hashtag “ThePrinceIsBack”, Santos published a short video of the 32-year-old’s highlights prior to his move to Barcelona in 2013.

Neymar, still the world’s most expensive footballer after his £200million move to Paris St Germain in 2017, had confirmed his impending return in a social media post on Thursday.

The return to his homeland comes after an injury-plagued spell at Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, who he joined in the summer of 2023 but only played seven matches for after suffering anterior cruciate ligament and hamstring injuries.

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Neymar made his debut for Santos at the age of 17 in 2009 and went on to score 136 goals in 225 games before his move to the Catalan giants.

After four seasons in Spain, which included Champions League and LaLiga titles, Neymar landed his world-record move to PSG, with whom he spent the next six years.

Writing on social media on Thursday, Neymar said: “It’s been nearly 12 years since I left (Santos), and it feels like yesterday. My feelings for the club and fans have never changed.”