Official: Philippe Coutinho leaves Aston Villa permanently

Former Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has been an Aston Villa player since the summer of 2022. But over the past two years, he has almost faded from memory—until the Villans' latest announcement brought him back into the headlines.

Details: The Birmingham club has confirmed that the 33-year-old midfielder is leaving on a permanent basis, joining Vasco da Gama, where he spent the last year on loan. The terms of the deal remain undisclosed.

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Background: Aston Villa initially loaned Coutinho from Barcelona in January 2022 before signing him permanently from the Blaugrana that summer for €20 million. The Brazilian featured in 43 matches at Villa Park before embarking on a series of loan spells starting in the summer of 2023.

First, he moved to Qatari side Al-Duhail, making 23 appearances, and then returned to his boyhood club Vasco da Gama.