Jesse Lingard Set to Join Corinthians, Rejoining Former Manchester United Teammate
São Paulo, Brazil – February 26, 2026 – Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard is on the verge of completing a move to Brazilian side Corinthians, according to multiple reports. The 33-year-old has been a free agent since departing FC Seoul in December.
Negotiations Progress Rapidly
Corinthians have advanced in negotiations to sign Lingard, with financial terms reportedly agreed upon. Journalists André Hernan and Bruno Andrade from ESPN Brasil initially reported the progress, which has been confirmed by other Brazilian media outlets, including Lance! and UOL. The club is now focused on resolving bureaucratic details to finalize the transfer.
Previous Interest from Remo
Prior to the Corinthians offer, Lingard had held discussions with Remo, a club recently promoted back to the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. However, those talks did not progress, paving the way for a move to the larger Corinthians.
Reunion with Memphis Depay
A key factor in Lingard’s potential move to Corinthians is the opportunity to reunite with former Manchester United teammate Memphis Depay. Depay has been with Corinthians for three seasons, scoring 12 goals in 51 appearances last season. The pair previously played together during the 2015/16 season, featuring in 31 matches alongside each other.
Lingard’s Career Background
Lingard came through the Manchester United academy and too had spells with Derby County, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest in England. In 2024, he moved to FC Seoul, where he played 67 games, scoring 19 goals and providing 11 assists over two seasons. He also represented England internationally, including a appearance at the 2018 World Cup, where he scored one goal and provided one assist.
Corinthians’ Recent Successes
Despite a challenging league campaign last season, finishing 13th in Serie A, Corinthians enjoyed success in cup competitions, winning both the Campeonato Paulista and the Copa do Brasil. These victories secured their qualification for this year’s Copa Libertadores.
Source: ge.globo.com, metro.co.uk, sports.yahoo.com, lance.com.br