RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Former Liverpool and Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho is set to end a seven-month break from football to join friend and former international teammate Neymar at Santos.
Neymar confirmed the arrival in a video posted on social media on Saturday showing the pair embracing in the Santos locker room.
"Welcome! Be happy. I came to hug you and take care of you," Neymar said in the post.
Coutinho, 34, has been without a club since parting ways with Vasco da Gama in February, citing mental fatigue.
Local media reported Saturday that the midfielder completed a medical, with Santos expected to announce his signing as a free agent in the coming days.
Coutinho and Neymar previously played together for Brazil at both youth and senior levels, including at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. ■
