There are stories in football that feel like soap operas, written for a reunion with a happy ending. Fred’s story with Atlético is one of them.
Developed in Galo’s youth academy and an Atlético supporter through and through, Fred returns to the club where he took his first steps in football, after building a standout career on the international stage. Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester United, Fenerbahçe, and the Brazilian National Team are all part of the journey of a player who reached the highest level of world football, with two World Cups on his résumé.
The reunion comes with attention worthy of his career. Fred signs with Atlético until the end of the 2029 season.
Galo brings back to Brazil a world-class player in a complex and highly significant deal. Fred’s arrival ranks among the biggest signings in Brazilian football, not only because of the weight of his name, but also because of the experience, competitive level, and career the midfielder has built.
But for Fred, there is something even greater behind this signing.
An Atlético supporter and a regular at the club’s matches whenever he was in his hometown, the player never hid his desire to wear the black-and-white shirt again and reunite with the club that was part of the first steps of his victorious journey. After years of waiting, the dream finally becomes reality.
Fred left Belo Horizonte while still young. He began his professional career in Brazilian football, but soon won titles in Europe, played for some of the biggest clubs in the world, appeared in the World Cup for the Brazilian National Team, and established himself among the great names of his generation.
Now, at 33, he returns to the place where it all began.
And this is no ordinary chapter.
Fred Rodrigues comes home to wear Atlético’s number 7 shirt.
The boy who once left Cidade do Galo to conquer the world is back, as a great idol, to the place where it all began.
The wait is over.
Welcome back, Fred! The Massa has been waiting for you!
Player profile
Name: Frederico Rodrigues de Paula SantosNickname: FredDate of birth: March 5, 1993Place of birth: Belo Horizonte (MG)Age: 33 years oldHeight: 1.69 mPosition: MidfielderPreferred foot: LeftNationality: BrazilianShirt number: 7
Youth career
Atlético (2003–2009)Porto Alegre (2009–2010)Internacional (2010–2012)
Professional career
Internacional (2012–2013)Shakhtar Donetsk (2013–2018)Manchester United (2018–2023)Fenerbahçe (2023–2026)
Titles
🏆 1 EFL Cup — Manchester United (2022/23) 🏆 3 Ukrainian Premier League titles — Shakhtar Donetsk (2013/14, 2016/17 and 2017/18) 🏆 2 Ukrainian Super Cups — Shakhtar Donetsk (2013 and 2015) 🏆 3 Ukrainian Cups — Shakhtar Donetsk (2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18) 🏆 2 Campeonato Gaúcho titles — Internacional (2012 and 2013)
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.