Chelsea flop Alexandre Pato returns to Sao Paulo after failed China stint
The former AC Milan striker returned to his native Brazil after a two-year stint with Chinese side Tianjin Tianhai
CHELSEA flop Alexandre Pato has rejoined Sao Paulo after a failed two-year stint with Chinese side Tianjin Tianhai.
The 29-year-old was a free agent after cancelling his contract with the Far East club earlier this month and has now announced his return to his native Brazil.
The striker proved a hit during the two seasons he spent on loan at the club in 2014 and 2015, scoring 38 times and providing 16 assists in 101 matches.
The former Brazil international, who also enjoyed a spell with rivals Corinthians, has signed a three-year deal after buying himself out of his Tianjin Tianhai contract.
Pato was one of world football's most promising young talents when he burst onto the scene in Serie A in 2007, but injuries and form has since plighted his progression.
The former AC Milan star broke into the Internacional side as a teen in 2006 and helped them to the Club World Cup the same year when they famously beat Barcelona.
WORLD AT HIS FEET
The Samba star earned a move to Italy where he burst onto the scene at the San Siro and was the club’s star man in the following two-and-a-half seasons.
He scored two second-half goals as Milan came from behind to beat Real Madrid 3-2 at the Bernabeu and was voted the Serie A Young Player of the Year in 2010.
After a succession of failed loan spells, Chelsea made a shock move for Pato and took him to Stamford Bridge on a disastrous six-month loan in 2016.
The Brazilian striker he managed one goal in just two appearances as he struggled with his fitness and was unable to make an impact to force a permanent move to the club.