Official: Gabigol returns to Santos

By Football Italia staff

Inter striker Gabriel Barbosa has re-joined Santos on a 12-month loan, the Brazilian club have confirmed.

The forward joined the Nerazzurri for a total of €33.5m in the summer of 2016, but he failed to make a single Serie A start and scored only once.

An unsuccessful loan spell at Benfica was cut short this month, with the player known as Gabigol making it clear he wanted to return to his former club.

“Gabigol is back at Santos FC,” the club confirmed on their official website.

“After almost 17 months in Europe, the boy from Vila returns to the Peixe for a year long loan.”

The website also carried some quotes from Gabigol, who had earlier posted a goodbye message to Benfica on his Instagram page.

“I’m very anxious and excited to get back onto the pitch again, especially in the Copa Libertadores which is a competition I’ve always wanted to play in.

“I want to give my contribution and show my affection for the beautiful crowd here. The song that you made for me will always be in my heart.

“I used to go to the Estadio Vila to sing the chants dedicated to Robinho and Neymar, so listening to a song made for me gives me chills.

“I’m back.”

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