Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has announced that he is returning home to his first club Nacional after being released by Atletico Madrid at the end of last season.
The former Ajax, Liverpool and Barcelona attacker is set to sign a three-month deal to play in the Uruguayan Clausura while preparing for the World Cup in Qatar that starts in November.
More than 20,000 Nacional fans wore Suarez masks at a recent game after they were linked with the 35-year-old forward.
“Hello everyone, first of all I wanted to thank you for all the love we have received, both me and my family in recent days,” the striker said in a video posted to Twitter.
“It has been very exciting, all the videos and messages that have reached us and touched our hearts about this situation.
“It was impossible to reject this possibility of playing again with Nacional. We have a pre-agreement with the club and in the next few hours details will be finalised and we hope that the agreement that we all want will be reached.
“I hope to enjoy this new stage and see you in the coming days. I send a big hug to all of you and thank you for all the love you have given us. See you soon.”
Suarez began his career at Nacional, making his debut aged 18 in May 2005. After one full season he moved to Groningen in the Netherlands and then on to Ajax a year later.
There he caught the eye of Liverpool and after three-and-a-half seasons in England – when he scored 82 goals in 133 games – Suarez moved to Barcelona for £75 million.
He enjoyed his most successful spell in Catalonia, winning four Spanish league titles and the Champions League in 2015.
Suarez scored 198 goals in 283 games – making him their second-highest goalscorer of all time – for the Catalan giants, forming a prolific attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.
He was controversially sold to La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid in 2020 after being told by new Barca manager Ronaldo Koeman that he was not part of his plans.
But Suarez would quickly have the last laugh when he won the La Liga again in his first season with Diego Simeone's side when he finished as top scorer with 21 goals.
Barca would finish third, seven points behind Atletico, while Koeman was sacked in 2021 after just 14 months in charge at Camp Nou.
His second season at Atleti was less successful and the club announced before their final home game of the season that Suarez was not being given a new contract and would be leaving as a free agent.
He will now be heading back to where his story all started in Uruguay.
Nacional president Jose Fuentes has thanked fans who had launched a massive social media campaign to try to convince Suarez to return.
“We are willing to give him all the love he deserves and treat him like what he is, a football idol,” said Fuentes “The doors of Nacional are open, you just have to tell us what you need.
“We still need to adjust some little details … [but] he will surely arrive next week.
Gallery: Suarez says goodbye to Atletico
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Luis Suarez applauds the crowd alongside his children following match between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on May 15, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. Getty -
Luis Suarez, accompanied by his family, bids farewell to Atletico supporters. EPA -
Luis Suarez acknowledges the Wanda Metropolitano crowd prior to leaving the pitch. AFP -
Luis Suarez waves and addresses the crowd during his farewell as an Atletico Madrid player. AFP -
Luis Suarez embraces his Atletico Madrid teammates at the end of the match between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla. AFP -
Luis Suarez bids farewell to Atletico supporters. EPA -
Luis Suarez embraces his teammates after the Liga match between Atletico Madrid and Sevilla. EPA -
Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui is tossed in the air by his players after the draw against Atletico Madrid ensured the club's place in next season's Champions League. AFP -
Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri celebrates scoring a goal against Atletico Madrid. AFP -
Sevilla players celebrate at the end of the match at Wanda Metropolitano stadium. AFP -
Sevilla forward Youssef En-Nesyri scores the equalising goal against Atletico Madrid. AFP -
Atletico Madrid forward Yannick Ferreira Carrasco attempts to skip a challenge from Sevilla defender Jules Kounde. Getty -
Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez celebrates scoring the opening goal against Sevilla. AFP -
Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez heads home the opening goal against Sevilla. EPA
