Former Manchester United and England national team midfielder Jesse Lingard has completed a move to Brazilian giants Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. The 33-year-old joins the São Paulo-based club after leaving FC Seoul in December following a mutual agreement to terminate his contract. Lingard spent nearly two years in South Korea, making 67 appearances and scoring 19 goals.
Jesse Lingard Signs With Corinthians, Reunites With Memphis Depay
Corinthians have confirmed that Lingard has signed a contract through the end of the year, with the option to extend for an additional 12 months contingent upon performance objectives. Lingard will join fellow former Manchester United player Memphis Depay, who is also a member of the Corinthians squad. He will wear the No. 77 shirt for the club, and upon completing the transfer, Lingard expressed his enthusiasm for joining one of Brazil’s most historic soccer institutions.
“First, I saw the fans at the airport chanting ‘Go, Corinthians! Go, Corinthians!'” Lingard said. “There is a lot of passion from the fans, which is wonderful to see. The players welcomed me with open arms, the coach, and the director. It was great to meet them. My first impressions: very happy, I can’t wait to play.” He also greeted supporters in Portuguese, saying: “Fala, Fiel, here is Jesse Lingard. Vai, Corinthians!”
WELCOME TO THE FAVELA!!! ⚫⚪
🛒 Compre a camisa do craque na ShopTimão: https://t.co/ai72nnigqV 📸 José Manoel Idalgo / Corinthians#BemVindoJesseLingard#DoReinoÀFavela#VaiCorinthians pic.twitter.com/1eesZsG3ky — Corinthians (@Corinthians) March 6, 2026
Lingard attracted interest from numerous clubs in Europe, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Genoa CFC, and West Ham United, where he previously spent a successful loan period in 2021. Ultimately, he elected to pursue a new opportunity in Brazil.
Prior to his tenure in South Korea, Lingard played for Nottingham Forest during the 2022–23 season, scoring two goals and providing two assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. At Manchester United, he accumulated 232 appearances and scored 35 goals, including memorable strikes in domestic cup finals. Internationally, he earned 32 caps for England and was part of the squad that reached the semifinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Lingard finished his final season with Seoul in strong form, scoring 13 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions. His last match for the club came on December 10, when he found the net in a 1–1 draw against Melbourne City FC in the league stage of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Now the experienced midfielder embarks on a new chapter in Brazil, aiming to make a significant impact at Corinthians and in South American football.
