Flamengo confirm the permanent signing of Lucas Paqueta from West Ham in a deal worth a reported 36.5m. The Brazil international agrees a contract running until December 2030, sealing a return to the club where the career started, after three and a half years at the London Stadium.
Earlier in January, Paqueta informed West Ham of a desire to move back to Brazil for family reasons. That request followed a stressful period last year, when Paqueta was cleared of spot-fixing allegations after the Football Association had sought a lifetime ban over four bookings.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Paqueta came through Flamengo’s academy and made a senior debut in March 2016 at 19. Across league competition for the club, Paqueta played 49 matches and scored 11
goals, building a reputation that led to interest from European teams.
In welcoming the midfielder back to the Maracana, Flamengo released an extended statement to supporters. The club said: "A new chapter will be written with Paqueta wearing the Mantle jersey, which he knows so well and knows how to represent. Be happy, create! The Red-and-Black Nation welcomes you with open arms for you to parade all your talent on Brazilian and South American pitches, with many goals, assists and, of course, a lot of dancing!"
Paqueta first left Flamengo for AC Milan in 2019, spending one and a half seasons in Serie A. The midfielder then joined Lyon, before moving again at the end of the summer 2022 transfer window, when West Ham completed a deal that took Paqueta to the Premier League.
For West Ham in the Premier League, Paqueta made 110 appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 10 assists. Since debuting in the competition in August 2022, only Jarrod Bowen recorded more goal involvements for West Ham, with Bowen posting 42 goals and 21 assists in that spell.
Chance creation numbers underline the impact made by Paqueta in London. From August 2022 onwards, Bowen fashioned 145 chances in Premier League play, while Paqueta created 134. Flamengo now gain a player proven in Brazil and Europe, backed by strong statistics and welcomed enthusiastically by the club’s support.
