Advertisement
Philippe Coutinho (file pic). Alamy Stock Photo

5 years on from €116 million Barca move, Coutinho leaves Aston Villa

The Brazilian forward has joined Al Duhail of Qatar on loan.

BRAZILIAN FORWARD Philippe Coutinho joined Qatari side Al Duhail on a season-long loan from Aston Villa on Friday.

Coutinho has fallen out of favour at the Premier League club after initially impressing following his loan move from Barcelona last year.

The 31-year-old eventually made a permanent £17 million (€20 million) move to Villa, but mustered only one goal last season and made just two substitute appearances this term.

Coutinho was close to tears after suffering a hamstring injury in Villa’s 4-0 win against Everton in August in what proved his last appearance for the club.

Coutinho was able to join Al Duhail despite the Premier League transfer window closing last week because the Qatari deadline is not until 18 September.

“Aston Villa can confirm Philippe Coutinho has completed a season-long loan move to Al Duhail,” a club statement said.

“The Brazilian signed for Villa on loan initially in January 2022 and immediately sparkled in claret and blue, scoring on his debut against Manchester United.

“His impressive performances would later see his move to Villa Park from Barcelona turn permanent and he has made 43 appearances for the club, scoring six goals.”

Coutinho starred for Liverpool from 2013 to 2018, which persuaded Barcelona to pay more than £100 million (€116 million) for his services in 2018.

Al Duhail are the reigning Qatari champions having won the Qatar Stars League last season.

– © AFP 2023

Author
View 7 comments
Close
7 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jumperoo
    Favourite Jumperoo
    Report
    Jun 25th 2018, 5:57 PM

    Here’s another anomaly in the whole hurling relegation/promotion structure. Winners of the Christy Ring Cup have to play the bottom team in the Joe McDonagh in a play-off. Seems the only place where there’s automatic relegation is in the Leinster group. Why not use the same system everywhere, so either there are playoffs, or there’s not?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jumperoo
    Favourite Jumperoo
    Report
    Jun 25th 2018, 5:59 PM

    Incidentally, and no offence intended to the late Joe McDonagh, but I can’t help wondering why his name was given to the new second tier competition, thereby elevating him above Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard. McDonagh was a great GAA man all right, but is he really worthy of a place higher than those other two in history?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Martin
    Favourite Noel Martin
    Report
    Jun 25th 2018, 7:14 PM

    I hope this victory helps to popularise the game of Hurling in Kildare

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ray Farrell
    Favourite Ray Farrell
    Report
    Jun 25th 2018, 9:39 PM

    @Noel Martin: Well to be honest the last one in 2014 didn’t, the county board need to be the ones to stand up and take note. There’s plenty of interest in Kildare for Hurling, a lot of great work going in at underage level in clubs. It needs the backing from the county board, their attitude towards the game is desperate.

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel