Hulk bids farewell to Atlético: club confirms exit, plans MRV send-off | OneFootball

Atlético officially announced this Friday (1st) the termination of striker Hulk’s contract by mutual agreement. The player’s deal with the black-and-white club was set to run until the end of 2026, but it was ended early, marking the close of one of the most successful spells in Galo’s recent history.

In a statement, the communications department said the decision was made amicably between the parties. To celebrate the No. 7’s journey, the club is already organizing a grand farewell: Hulk will be honored on May 10 at Arena MRV, before the match against Botafogo in the Brazilian Série A Championship. In addition, it was agreed that, when he retires, the striker will have a testimonial match at Atlético’s stadium.

Signed in 2021, Hulk quickly built a deep bond with Atlético’s fans, becoming one of the biggest idols in the club’s recent history. On the pitch, he was a key figure in major triumphs, such as the Brazilian Championship and Copa do Brasil titles in 2021, as well as the Supercopa do Brasil in 2022 and five straight Campeonato Mineiro titles between 2021 and 2025.

Throughout his spell, the striker put up impressive numbers: 140 goals in 311 matches, along with 56 assists, totaling 196 direct goal contributions.

In his farewell, Hulk made a point of highlighting the bond he built with the club and the city. The striker said he is taking with him much more than titles, emphasizing the connection he formed with Atlético and its fans from day one: “I’m taking with me much more than titles, I’m taking a connection that changed my life. Galo and the Massa Atleticana made me feel at home from the very first day, and I will be forever grateful to this club that I learned to love”, he said.

He also revealed that his children, who play in the club’s youth academy, will remain in Belo Horizonte, reinforcing that his relationship with Galo will stay alive even after the end of his contract:

This season, Hulk played 22 matches, scoring five goals and providing three assists. The goals were split between the Campeonato Mineiro (four) and the Brazilian Championship (one), while all of the assists came in the national competition.

The striker’s future is expected to be at Fluminense, which has emerged as the main destination for the experienced player’s next step in his career.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.