Jesse Lingard has officially completed a free transfer to Brazilian giants Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, marking a new chapter in his career after leaving FC Seoul in December 2025.
As revealed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle, the former Manchester United midfielder will wear the number 77 shirt at Corinthians as he looks to relaunch his career in Brazil’s top flight.
Romano stated:
Official: Jesse Lingard has now joined Corinthians on a free transfer. Former Man United player will wear shirt number 77 at Timão.
The move brings Lingard back into a competitive top-tier league following a difficult period that saw him struggle to rediscover his best form.
Earlier reports by Softfootball indicated that Corinthians had been in advanced negotiations to sign the England international on a free transfer after the termination of his contract with FC Seoul.
The discussions progressed quickly, with the Brazilian club pushing to finalize the deal and Jesse Lingard having agreed to joined the club on a one-year contract, with an option of a contract extension.
According to reports, the deal is valued at under $1 million in salary, reflecting both the club’s cautious financial structure and Lingard’s determination to secure regular playing time in order to revive his career.
Lingard enjoyed one of the most productive spells of his career during a memorable loan at West Ham United in the 2020–21 season, where he scored nine goals in just 16 Premier League appearances. His performances during that period re-established him as one of the league’s most dangerous attacking midfielders and briefly revived hopes of a long-term resurgence.
However, his form dipped in the seasons that followed. After leaving Manchester United, Lingard had a short stint with Nottingham Forest before moving to FC Seoul in South Korea. Across those spells, he managed only two goals in 22 appearances, a record that highlighted his struggle for consistency.
The move to Corinthians is therefore widely viewed as an opportunity for the 33-year-old to reset his career and rediscover the attacking influence that once made him a key figure in English football.
With Corinthians competing in Brazil’s highly competitive Serie A, Lingard will hope the new environment provides the platform he needs to regain form and contribute creatively in midfield.
