Former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho has left Aston Villa to complete a permanent transfer to Vasco da Gama. Coutinho left the Villans last summer to return to his homeland and join the Brazilian Serie A side on loan and he has now made his move permanent. The 33-year-old made 26 appearances last season where he scored five goals and provided three assists.

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Coutinho joins Vasco da Gama permanentlySigned for the Brazilian side on loan last summerEnded Aston Villa nightmareFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Coutinho's nightmare Aston Villa spell has finally ended as he secured a permanent move to Vasco da Gama, after spending the 2024-25 campaign on loan at the Brazilian club. The midfielder tried to push for a permanent transfer last summer by mutually terminating his contract and joining Vasco on a free transfer but the Villans at that time only sanctioned a loan move.

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The official statement from the Premier League club read: "Aston Villa can confirm that Philippe Coutinho has completed a permanent move to Vasco da Gama. The midfielder was on loan with the Brazilian side last term and returned to the club following the end of his temporary stint, but both clubs have now agreed a deal for the playmaker to go back to his hometown club on a permanent basis. After signing for Villa initially on loan in January 2022, he went on to pen a permanent deal at Villa Park and made 43 appearances in claret and blue, scoring six goals. Everyone at Aston Villa would like to thank Philippe for his service to the club and wish him all the best in his future career."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Coutinho joined Aston Villa on loan from Barcelona in January 2022 before making his transfer permanent six months later. However, he failed to make an impact under Unai Emery and was sent out on loan to Qatari side Al-Duhail ahead of the 2023-24 season.

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Matheus Lima/Vasco da GamaWHAT NEXT FOR COUTINHO?

The 33-year-old will be back in action for Vasco on July 12 as they take on Botafogo in the Brazilian Serie A.