Soccer
12:18, 25-May-2019
Ricardo Goulart sets for a return to Guangzhou Evergrande after four months away
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The return of Ricardo Goulart to China has surprised fans.
The Brazil midfielder lasted only four months after signing for Palmeiras on a one-year loan deal in January.
The Palmeiras player would accept a
proposal to return to the Chinese Super League (CSL) side Guangzhou Evergrande
and rescinded the contract before the end of the loan, according to
Brazil's media Globo Esporte.
Guangzhou Evergrande had a tough season both
in the domestic league and Asia this year. Top Striker
Anderson Talisca suffered a left-knee injury and should stay up to one-and-a-half months in treatment. Goulart, who was the best player of the team in recent
years, is believed to have helped rebuild the team.
Goulart joined Guangzhou Evergrande in 2015
and scored 103 goals for the club. During his first season in China, Goulart
won the AFC Champions League and was the competition's top scorer. The
27-year-old won three consecutive CSL titles with the team but announced a departure
in 2018.
Goulart (R) scores the second goal for of Palmeiras during the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019 the match against Melgar of Peru on March 12, 2019. /VCG Photo
Goulart (R) scores the second goal for of Palmeiras during the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019 the match against Melgar of Peru on March 12, 2019. /VCG Photo
His contract with the Chinese club would end at the end of 2020 while the renewal proposal to return was considered irrefutable: a new bond valid for five years, with a 70-percent salary increase.
Goulart has been called up to the Brazilian national team for two matches against Colombia and Ecuador and made his official debut for Brazil in September 2014 in a 1–0 victory against Ecuador.
"Goulart is undoubtedly a great player. As an individual player or as a team player he is helping us significantly," said Guangzhou manager Fabio Cannavaro.
The 27-year-old sprained his his right knee during Palmeiras' 4-0 win over Fortaleza in the opening round of the Brazilian Serie A on April 28. Palmeiras said the return period would be around two months and the injury is expected to keep Goulart off the field until the end of June.