Former Manchester United F.C. midfielder Jesse Lingard has agreed to join Sport Club Corinthians Paulista on a one-year contract with an option to extend. The agreement was confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, with travel and medical now being scheduled.
Fabrizio posted:
Jesse Lingard to Corinthians, here we go! Verbal agreement done on one year deal plus option to extend. Lingard joins Corinthians as free agent despite also receiving proposals from MLS. Travel and medical next ahead of signature with Timão.
Softfootball reported on February 27, 2026 that Corinthians were in advanced negotiations to sign Lingard on a free transfer following the termination of his contract at FC Seoul in December 2025. Talks were described as being at the final stages, with the Brazilian club pushing to complete a one-year agreement reportedly worth under $1 million in salary.
Corinthians moved decisively to fend off interest from MLS clubs, with Lingard rejecting a late approach from the United States in favour of a switch to Brazil.
The São Paulo-based side are aiming to add experience and attacking quality as they look to build on a competitive start to the 2026 campaign.
Lingard will link up with former United teammate Memphis Depay, who is currently part of the Corinthians squad. The pair briefly played together at Old Trafford between 2015 and 2017. Former Arsenal F.C. defender Gabriel Paulista is also among the club’s senior figures.
Corinthians currently sit third in the Brazil Serie A table after winning two and drawing one of their opening four fixtures, although they suffered defeat to Novorizontino in their first game of the 2026 season.
Despite finishing 13th last term, they lifted the Copa do Brasil, defeating CR Vasco da Gama 2–1 on aggregate in the final, with Depay scoring the decisive goal.
Lingard’s move to Corinthians will be the ninth club of his senior career. After progressing through United’s academy, he enjoyed loan spells at Leicester, Birmingham, Brighton and Derby before establishing himself in the first team.
He made more than 200 appearances for United across five seasons before a loan switch to West Ham United F.C. in January 2021, where he scored nine goals in 16 matches and revived his England prospects.
He later joined Nottingham Forest F.C. following their promotion to the Premier League but struggled for consistency. After nine months without a club, Lingard moved abroad for the first time to FC Seoul, where he enjoyed a productive spell, scoring 19 goals and providing 10 assists in 67 appearances before his contract was mutually terminated.
In other news concerning his former club, former United midfielder Michael Carrick is increasingly being credited for key tactical and structural improvements at Manchester United, with observers noting a significant rise in intensity, cohesion and compactness across the team in recent weeks.
