Brazilian striker Hulk, aged 39, has officially signed a contract with Fluminense until the end of 2027, just four days after his emotional departure from Atletico Mineiro, where he is considered a club icon. The Rio de Janeiro-based club confirmed the signing on Tuesday.
According to a statement from Fluminense, Hulk will have to wait until the next transfer window opens before making his debut for the Tricolor. That window will open after the Brazilian championship pauses for the World Cup in North America.
During his time at Atletico Mineiro, the forward scored 140 goals and provided 54 assists in 311 appearances since joining in 2021.
Fluminense currently sits third in the Brasileirao standings with 26 points from 14 matches, trailing leaders Palmeiras (33 points) and defending champions Flamengo (27 points). Under Argentine manager Luis Zubeldia, the club from Laranjeiras is bolstering its attack, which already includes John Kennedy and Argentine forwards Rodrigo Castillo and German Cano.
On Friday, Atletico Mineiro announced the termination of Hulk’s contract. The club, facing financial difficulties, opted to release one of Brazilian football’s most prominent players.
An unexpected farewell: “I never prepared myself for this moment of goodbye because deep down I thought there were stories that had no end,” Hulk said tearfully in a video posted on social media to bid farewell to the Mineiro supporters.
The powerful striker won the Brasileirao and Copa do Brasil in his first season with Galo, followed by the Supercopa in 2022. He also secured five consecutive Minas Gerais state championships.
This year, Hulk has netted five goals and recorded three assists in 26 appearances. Before joining Atletico Mineiro, he enjoyed a highly successful career abroad, winning league titles in Portugal with Porto and in Russia with Zenit St. Petersburg. With Porto, he also lifted the Europa League trophy. On the international stage, Hulk played for Brazil in the 2014 World Cup on home soil and won the 2013 Confederations Cup.