Share
Former Chelsea and Arsenal winger Willian has left Corinthians after claiming he and his family received death threats on social media.
The 34-year-old has scored once in 45 games since rejoining Corinthians from Arsenal last summer.
The Brazil international has already been linked with a return to the Premier League with Fulham.
The club issued a statement, saying, “Corinthians accepted the dismissal of the athlete, the anticipation of the end of the contract.
“Willian alleged private and family problems and the desire to leave Brazil. Corinthians is sorry, but respects the player’s decision.”
“We are sad not to have him anymore and also because it didn’t go the way we expected. But we have to keep those here that are happy.”
Corinthians have lost five of their past nine games, and Willian played in the second leg on Wednesday as the Brazilian side were knocked out of the Copa Libertadores quarter-finals by domestic rivals Flamengo.
“Whenever Corinthians lost and I didn’t play well, my family received threats and insults on social media – my wife, my children, and recently they also started attacking my father, my sister,” Willian told the Globo Esporte website.
Willian has been attacked by some of the fans over poor performance in the field, as Corinthians was eliminated from two important competitions in recent weeks, despite the team being second place in the Brazilian league.
Willian is now jetting back to live in London with his family.
And Goal claims the playmaker could now be set for a third spell in the English capital with Fulham.
Willian is believed to have opened talks with Marco Silva’s side before his Corinthians contract was torn up.
Fulham have already swooped for several exciting attackers including Manor Solomon and compatriot Andreas Pereira.
And Willian could now be ready to join the Cottagers on a one-year deal as they look to avoid another immediate relegation to the Championship.
Despite his flop season at Arsenal, Willian is best remembered by Premier League fans for his time at Chelsea.
He spent seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, scoring 63 goals in 339 games