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Dani Alves signs with Sao Paulo in return to Brazil

LUIS ACOSTA / AFP / Getty

Dani Alves, one of the most decorated footballers in history, is returning to Brazil to play out the final years of his career with Sao Paulo.

At 36 years old, the accomplished full-back signed a contract until December 2022 with his "beloved" club on Thursday.

Alves was free to choose his destination after allowing his contract with Paris Saint-Germain to expire in June.

He last played in the Brasileiro in 2002 with Bahia - long before he established himself as a rampaging right-back with a knack for goal.

Having won 40 trophies with Bahia, Sevilla, Barcelona, Juventus, PSG, and his native Brazil, Alves will now look to add a few more in his homeland. The Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, has so far eluded his grasp.

Alves spent his best days with Barcelona from 2008-16, a hugely successful period that yielded 23 titles across multiple competitions. He spent one brief season at Juventus before heading to Paris, where he alternated as a winger under coaches Unai Emery and Thomas Tuchel.

Showing he still has something to offer, Alves captained Brazil to the Copa America title - the country's first since 2007 - in July.

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