Former Manchester United defender Fabio da Silva is set to complete a move to Brazilian side Gremio and play alongside Luis Suarez.
Fabio, 32, has fallen down the pecking order at French side Nantes and is expected to sign a two-year deal with Gremio. The defender, who spent six years at Old Trafford, has travelled to his homeland to complete a medical and link-up with Liverpool icon Suarez, 35.
The Uruguayan recently signed a two-year contract with Gremio after completing a three-month spell at boyhood club Nacional. Gremio were promoted to Brazil's top-flight in 2022 and are looking to become a force in South American football again.
As reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Fabio's time at Nantes is up and he will unveiled as a Gremio player shortly. The full-back has only played six games for Antoine Kombouare's side this season, as they sit two spots above Ligue 1's relegation zone.
Fabio will return to Brazil after a successful career in Europe. The defender and twin brother Rafael were signed by legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008 and spent several years battling each other for a spot in one of Europe's best defences.
Rafael, who now plays for Brazilian side Botafogo, was often preferred to Fabio and went on to make 170 outings for United before joining Lyon in August 2015. Yet Fabio still played 56 games for United and picked up a Premier League winners' medal in May 2011.
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Fabio joined Cardiff in January 2014 and went on to make 68 appearances. The Welsh club suffered relegation in May 2014, but he got another shot at the Premier League when Middlesbrough signed him in August 2016. They were relegated the following May.
Fabio joined Nantes in July 2018 and has enjoyed a successful career in France - playing more than 90 games and winning last season's Coupe de France. Yet it now appears it's time for him to return to Brazil and play alongside one of the best strikers of his generation.
Suarez has scored more than 500 goals for club and country and remains a prolific star - finding the net eight times during his recent spell at Nacional. He also represented Uruguay in the recent World Cup and is yet to call time on his international career.
"Preparing for this beautiful challenge at Gremio," tweeted Suarez. "I'm excited to be there and enjoy it."
Gremio are one of Brazil's most famous clubs and won the Copa Libertadores - South America's equivalent of the Champions League - as recently as 2017. They suffered relegation to the second tier in 2021 but made an immediate return last season.
The new season in Brazil starts later this month, with Gremio travelling to Caxias in their opening league fixture. Palmeiras, who won the Copa Libertadores in 2020 and 2021, are the reigning Brazilian champions after winning the title by eight points last term.
