FERNANDINHO COMPLETES TRANSFER AFTER MAN CITY RELEASE AND CONFIRMS RETIREMENT PLANS.

Fernandinho has sealed his return to former club Athletico Paranaense after his release from Manchester City.

Brazilian Fernandinho, 37, left City this summer as his contract expired and expressed a desire to return to his home country. Not only is he back in Brazil, but he has secured a move to his first club Athletico Paranaense, where he made 72 appearances between 2002-05 before sealing a move to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Fernandinho left City as the club's most decorated player, and said it was a dream to wear the Paranaense shirt again, 17 years after he left. He will wear the number five shirt and has signed a two-year contract.

"Without a doubt, I am fulfilling a personal wish, a dream to wear the Athletico shirt again," he said at a press conference on Monday, confirming he intends to retire after his new deal expires.

"Establish a brand that will end my career playing for just three clubs: two in Europe and one in Brazil.