Ex-Chelsea professional
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Former Brazilian international Oscar will be playing in his home country again next year for the first time since summer 2012. FC São Paulo announced the transfer of the 33-year-old playmaker from Chinese double winner Shanghai Port on Christmas Eve (local time). Oscar has signed in the Brazilian metropolis until the end of 2027 and will be free of charge after his contract expires. In eight years he reportedly earned over 150 million euros net and was long considered one of the highest paid players in the world.
“Oscar is a player who needs no explanation,” said São Paulo club president Júlio Casares. “Its technical quality is difficult to find on the market. I am personally involved in these negotiations and have been discussing this possibility with him for over six months. Let’s work towards a 2025 with great results.”
Oscar trained at FC São Paulo, but moved to SC Internacional in 2010, where he attracted interest in Europe’s top leagues and became a national player. The offensive player won the Copa Libertadores with the club from Porto Alegre, and during this time he also became U20 world champion and Olympic silver medalist. Chelsea finally signed Oscar in the summer of 2012 for 32 million euros – still Internacional’s record departure.
Chelsea, Shanghai and 2014 World Cup: Oscar’s career
With the Blues, the 2014 World Cup participant, who scored the Seleção’s consolation goal against eventual world champions Germany in a 7-1 defeat in the semi-finals, won two championships and the Europa Lague. With 40 million euros, he achieved the highest market value of his career there.
As part of the expansion of the Chinese league, Oscar moved to Shanghai in 2017 for a fee of 60 million euros. To date, no player in the Super League has been more expensive (see the complete list of record signings), and Chelsea only transferred three professionals to other clubs for more money (see the statistics). In the Chinese metropolis, Oscar contributed 77 goals and 141 assists in 248 games, winning three championships and one cup. He played there, among others, together with his compatriot Hulk and the Chinese offensive star Lei Wu. In his final year, Oscar contributed another 15 goals and 25 assists to Shanghai’s double.
“I’m happy to be back in Brazil and to be able to play for São Paulo, the club where I started,” said Oscar. “I am happy for this opportunity, and so is my family. I am grateful for the love I have received on social media in the last few days and I will do my best to achieve great things together.”