Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho has completed a permanent transfer to Vasco da Gama from Aston Villa, signing a one-year contract with the club where he began his professional career.
The 33-year-old spent last season on loan at Vasco, and the deal marks a return to familiar surroundings for the former Liverpool and Barcelona star. Coutinho had not featured for Aston Villa since the start of the 2023–24 campaign, having joined Qatari side Al-Duhail on a temporary basis before reuniting with Vasco.
Although he had one year remaining on his Villa contract, signed after making a £17 million switch from Barcelona in 2022, the two parties have now parted ways permanently. During his time at Villa Park, Coutinho made 43 appearances and scored six goals.
Coutinho’s career has seen dramatic highs and lows. In 2018, he joined Barcelona from Liverpool in a deal worth £142 million, a club-record fee for the Catalan giants. However, his spell at the Nou Camp was marred by inconsistency and a major knee injury, preventing him from fully living up to expectations.
Before his time at Barcelona and Aston Villa, Coutinho enjoyed stints at Inter Milan and Liverpool, where he rose to global prominence with his flair, vision, and long-range goals. On the international stage, he has scored 21 goals in 68 appearances for Brazil but hasn’t featured for the national team since 2022.
Now back at Vasco da Gama, Coutinho will aim to revive his career at the club where it all began, hoping to bring his experience and creativity to the fore once again in Brazilian football.
