Fred, 33, has joined Atlético-MG on a deal until the end of 2029, with the club paying 2 million euros (R$ 11.9 million) for his release from Fenerbahçe in Turkey. The midfielder has previously played for Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Internacional, where he turned professional in 2012. Interestingly, Fred's first steps in football were with Atlético-MG's youth team in the early 2000s.
During his first training session with the team, Fred underwent the traditional "trote" ritual, where he was tapped on the head by his new teammates as he walked through a corridor. This initiation rite is a common practice in Brazilian football. Fred's chances of making his debut against Inter on Saturday are now a possibility, given that he has been registered with the club and has trained with his new teammates.
Fred's return to Atlético-MG is a significant move, given that he was once a target for Inter, who signed him from Internacional 19 years ago. The midfielder's experience and skills will undoubtedly be valuable assets for the team as they face Inter in the Campeonato Brasileiro.