Dutch forward Memphis Depay has officially signed a two-year contract with Brazilian club Corinthians after leaving Atletico Madrid as a free agent in July. The announcement was made by Corinthians on Monday, marking a significant move in the 30-year-old striker’s career. While the exact terms of the deal were not disclosed, Brazilian media outlets reported that the contract is valued at approximately 70 million Brazilian real ($12.54 million).
Depay, who has enjoyed a prolific international career with the Netherlands, has scored 46 goals in 98 appearances for his national team. Despite his consistent performance, he was notably left out of the squad for the Netherlands’ recent UEFA Nations League fixtures, including a 5-2 victory over Bosnia on Saturday, with a match against Germany set for Tuesday.
Despite being omitted from the latest squad, Dutch head coach Ronald Koeman expressed confidence that Depay’s transfer to the Brazilian league would not jeopardize his chances of being included in future national team selections. Koeman acknowledged that Depay’s situation is different from that of other players who have moved to less competitive leagues.
“I disapproved of Steven Bergwijn’s move to Saudi Arabia. With Memphis, it can be different,” Koeman explained. “The level of the league in Brazil is different, so yes, he can still be part of the national team, but it depends on his fitness and if he reaches his level.”
Koeman’s comments underline the nuanced approach the Dutch manager is taking when evaluating players moving to leagues outside of Europe. Unlike Bergwijn’s transfer to Saudi Arabia, which Koeman criticized for its lower competitive standard, Brazil’s top-flight football still holds significant prestige, and the coach believes it can offer Depay the platform to maintain his high level of performance.
Depay’s move to Corinthians represents the latest chapter in an already storied career. The forward began his professional journey at PSV Eindhoven, where he made a name for himself as a rising star in Dutch football. His performances at PSV earned him a high-profile transfer to Manchester United in 2015, though his time at Old Trafford was marked by inconsistency. After two seasons with United, Depay moved to Olympique Lyon, where he reignited his career, becoming one of Ligue 1’s standout performers.
Depay’s impressive displays in France caught the attention of Spanish giants Barcelona, where he spent a brief but eventful period. However, with Barcelona undergoing significant changes, including financial struggles, Depay moved on to Atletico Madrid, where he played during the 2022-2023 season. In 31 appearances across all competitions for Atletico, he found the net nine times, contributing to their strong finish in La Liga.
Despite his productive season in Spain, Depay opted to leave Atletico as a free agent, ultimately choosing a new adventure in Brazil. Corinthians, one of the country’s most storied clubs, will offer Depay the chance to play in a competitive environment while adapting to the challenges of South American football.
For Corinthians, the signing of Depay represents a statement of intent as they continue to rebuild and aim for success in domestic and international competitions. The Dutchman’s experience at top clubs across Europe, combined with his proven ability on the international stage, makes him a valuable addition to the squad. His versatility as a forward, capable of playing in multiple attacking positions, will provide Corinthians with additional options in their lineup.
Depay’s international career remains very much alive, with Koeman’s confirmation that a move to Brazil will not preclude him from future selections. However, the 30-year-old will need to maintain peak fitness and form if he is to remain a key part of the Dutch national team, especially with major tournaments on the horizon.
