Philippe Coutinho Transfers to Vasco da Gama
Aston Villa has announced that Philippe Coutinho, the seasoned midfielder, has officially transferred to Vasco da Gama in a move that marks the culmination of his time with the English club. The 33-year-old had previously been on loan at Vasco, and with both clubs in agreement, his transfer has become permanent. Coutinho was among Aston Villa’s top earners, raking in approximately £135,000 ($184k) weekly, and his contract was initially due to expire next summer.
Coutinho’s Journey at Aston Villa
The Brazilian international first arrived at Aston Villa in January 2022 on loan from Barcelona, under the guidance of then-manager Steven Gerrard, a familiar face and former teammate from their Liverpool days. Following a successful stint, he signed a five-year deal with Villa later that year in a transfer deal valued at £17 million. Throughout his time at the club, Coutinho participated in 43 matches, netted six goals, and delivered three assists, making a considerable impact on the squad.
His final outing in a Villa jersey was during a commanding 4-0 victory over Everton in August 2023, where he contributed as a substitute for the last 20 minutes. However, his season saw him loaned to Al-Duhail, a Qatari club, for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Coutinho’s football journey began at Vasco da Gama, where he rose through the ranks in their youth academy. At just 16, in 2008, he signed with Inter Milan, effectively continuing his development in Europe. He spent two years on loan at his old club before transferring permanently in 2010, leading to a series of notable career events, including a loan period at Espanyol in 2012.
In need of more playtime, Coutinho made the move to Liverpool in January 2013, where he became a key player under managers Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp. Over his five-year tenure with the Reds, he made 201 appearances, contributing significantly with 54 goals and 44 assists.
High-Profile Transfers and Achievements
His subsequent high-profile transfer to Barcelona in January 2018 was one of the most expensive in history, costing around £142 million. During his first season with the Catalan giants, he helped the team secure the La Liga title, repeating the achievement in the following season. A loan spell at Bayern Munich during the 2019-20 season saw him notoriously score against his former club in the Champions League semifinals, contributing to an 8-2 defeat for Barcelona that year.
Coutinho’s return to Barcelona was marred by a meniscus injury in December 2020, rendering him inactive for the rest of that season. He returned for 16 more appearances the following season, capping his total with the club at 106 before making the transition back to Villa, and now, to Vasco da Gama once again.
