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Former Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar returns to Flamengo from Benfica

Former Inter Milan goalkeeper and Brazilian international Julio Cesar has rejoined boyhood club Flamengo with a view to end his professional career there.

Julio Cesar (right) with his new Flamengo jersey (Image: Twitter)

Bengaluru, January 31: Former Inter Milan goalkeeper and Brazilian international Julio Cesar has rejoined boyhood club Flamengo with a view to end his professional career there.

Cesar, 38, considered one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, mutually agreed to part ways with Benfica recently. He has now announced he has returned to Flamengo, the boyhood club he left 13 years ago for Inter.

Cesar has signed a symbolic contract with Flamengo, which only lasts three months and allows him to participate in the Rio de Janeiro state championship. He also hinted that he will hang up his boots at the end of this contract.

Cesar said: "I return happy, with a lot of desire to be a champion and end my career in a wonderful way. If today I am who I am, Flamengo played a part in my formation as a man.

"There is no possibility of extending my contract. My situation is a three-month project so that I can end my career after the Carioca."

He added: "I hope I can enjoy those three months with the fans so we can close this chapter with a happy ending.''

Cesar is an academy product of Flamengo and joined them as a 12-year old in 1991. He made his professional debut with them in 1997 and appeared 284 times for the club, winning three state titles, a champions cup, and a Copa Mercosul before leaving for Inter Milan in January of 2005.

Since leaving Inter in 2012, he has plied his trade in three different clubs - Queens Park Rangers, Toronto FC and Benfica.

The veteran keeper, who has participated in three World Cups with Brazil, has enjoyed his share of silverware. He won five Serie A titles and a Champions League crown with Inter. With Benfica, he clinched three Portuguese League titles. He was one of the key members of Jose Mourinho's famous Inter side, which won the treble in 2010.

Story first published: Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 14:55 [IST]
Other articles published on Jan 31, 2018