Coutinho leaves Aston Villa for Vasco da Gama

Philippe Coutinho has been permanently signed by Brazilian side Vasco da Gama from Aston Villa.

Following a loan spell at his boyhood club last year, the former midfielder from Liverpool and Barcelona has signed a one-year contract.

Before joining Qatari side Al-Duhail until the end of the season, the 33-year-old hasn’t played for Villa since the start of the 2023-24 campaign.

The Midlands club has scored six goals in 43 games, including those for Inter Milan and Liverpool.

Barcelona signed Coutinho from Liverpool for a club-record £142 million in 2018 but struggled during a dismal four-year stay at the Nou Camp, which was hampered by a serious knee injury.