Philippe Coutinho looks on during Vasco da Gama's match against Fluminense

Philippe Coutinho has joined Santos seven months after leaving his last club.

The midfielder had been a free agent since his exit from Vasco da Gama in February.

Philippe Coutinho looks on during Vasco da Gama's match against Corinthians
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Coutinho has joined the ninth club of his career seven months after leaving VascoCredit: Getty

Coutinho departed his boyhood club for a fourth time citing that he felt 'tired mentally'.

The 34-year-old had returned to Vasco last year after leaving Aston Villa.

However, he stepped away from the club despite scoring once in three league appearances at the start of 2026.

Coutinho joins Santos

Coutinho has now joined Santos on a three-month deal through to the end of the current Serie A season.

His arrival sees him reunite with former Brazil team-mate Neymar.

The Santos captain, who is also under contract until December 31, re-joined the club in January 2025.

Following Coutinho's arrival, the club shared a video of the pair embracing in the dressing room.

As he hugged Neymar, the new signing could be heard saying: "If it's a dream, I don't want to wake up."

Coutinho and Neymar have made 41 career appearances together for Brazil across youth and senior level.

The latter has scored six goals and provided three assists in 12 Serie A matches this season.

Philippe Coutinho and Neymar celebrate a goal for Brazil against Costa Rica
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Coutinho has reunited with former Brazil team-mate Neymar at SantosCredit: Getty - Contributor

Meanwhile, Coutinho could make his debut as early as Wednesday in the Copa Sudamericana.

Santos face Atletico Mineiro away from home in the second leg of their quarter-final tie.

The eight-time Brazilian champions lead 2-0 from the first leg.

They then visit Remo in the league on Saturday, with 12 matches of the season remaining.

Santos currently sit in 10th place, occupying a Copa Sudamericana berth, but are 10 points adrift of the Copa Libertadores spots.

Coutinho's career so far

Coutinho's latest move sees him join the ninth club of his career and his sixth permanent outfit.

Philippe Coutinho celebrates a goal for Brazil against Chile
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Coutinho has won 68 caps for Brazil during his senior careerCredit: Getty

2008: Vasco da Gama

2008-13: Inter Milan - Five goals and four assists in 47 apps

2008-10: Vasco da Gama (Loan) - Five goals and six assists in 43 apps

2012: Espanyol (Loan) - Five goals and one assist in 16 apps

2013-18: Liverpool - 54 goals and 44 assists in 201 apps

2018-22: Barcelona - 25 goals and 14 assists in 106 apps

2019-20: Bayern Munich (Loan) - 11 goals and nine assists in 38 apps

2022: Aston Villa (Loan) - Five goals and three assists in 19 apps

2022-25: Aston Villa - One goal in 24 apps

2023-24: Al Duhail (Loan) - Eight goals and four assists in 23 apps

2024-25: Vasco da Gama (Loan) - Eight goals and four assists in 44 apps

2025-26: Vasco da Gama - Nine goals and three assists in 37 apps

2026-Present: Santos

Total: 136 goals and 92 assists in 598 apps

2010-22: Brazil - 21 goals and 11 assists in 68 caps

Honours: Copa America, Champions League, Bundesliga, 2x LaLiga, DFB Pokal, Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia, Italian Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup, U20 World Cup, U15 South American Championship, U17 South American Championship, Brazilian Serie B

He began his career with Vasco before joining Inter Milan in 2008 aged 16.

Following a return to the club on loan and a temporary spell with Espanyol, he was sold to Liverpool in 2013.

The playmaker later moved to Barcelona before loan stints at Bayern Munich and Aston Villa.

Despite his form on loan at Villa, Coutinho struggled to match those heights after completing a permanent switch in 2022.

He subsequently returned to Vasco two years ago on an initial loan after turning out for Qatari side Al Duhail.

A fourth spell with the club followed at the end of the loan, with Coutinho joining from Villa on a free transfer last summer.

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