Staff Reporter.
(Reuters) – Fulham signed forward Willian on a one-year deal on Thursday, as the Brazilian returns to the Premier League on a free transfer following the departure from Brazil Serie A side Corinthians.
Willian had terminated the contract with Corinthians in August after receiving death threats, the former Arsenal and Chelsea player said.
“I’m happy to be here, I’m happy to be back in the Premier League,” the 34-year-old, who has 70 caps for Brazil, told the club’s video channel, FFCtv.
Willian first moved to the Premier League in 2013, joining Chelsea from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
During seven years with the west London club he won the Premier League twice, making 339 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.
In August 2020 he signed for Arsenal before moving back to Brazil.
Earlier on Thursday, Fulham have signed former France defender Layvin Kurzawa on a season-long loan from Paris St Germain.
Meanwhile Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye left Paris Saint-Germain and returned to former club Everton on transfer deadline day on Thursday, as the French champions continued to offload unwanted members of their squad.
Gueye, 32, signed for Everton for an undisclosed fee and has penned a two-year contract to June 2024, the Premier League side said.
Elsewhere Manchester City strengthened their injury-hit defence on Thursday by signing Swiss international Manuel Akanji on a five-year deal from Borussia Dortmund.
Akanji will provide the Premier League champions with extra defensive depth after recent injuries to centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake.
“I am delighted to be here, and can’t wait to get started,” Akanji, who cost City a reported £17 million ($19.7 million) told the club’s website.
“City have been one of the best teams in Europe over the last few seasons. They are brilliant to watch, play an exciting brand of football and compete for trophies year in, year out, so coming here feels like the perfect next step in my career.”
The 27-year-old spent four-and-a-half seasons with Dortmund after joining from Basle in 2018.