Grêmio’s veteran midfielder Gilberto Silva will be joining former club Atlético Mineiro according to the club’s new director of football.
The former Arsenal star has reportedly agreed to join Atlético on a one year deal starting in January 2013.
Grêmio’s incoming director of football Rui Costa told reporters: “I was told on Tuesday that Gilberto Silva is going back to Atlético and we will accept his decision. We hope he is happy at his new club.”
The former Seleção holding midfielder joined Grêmio last year from Greek side Olympiakos, where he excelled after being converted to a centreback.
Gilberto played every game in Brazil’s World Cup winning campaign in 2002, and also enjoyed several successful years at Arsenal, featuring in the ‘Invincibles’ team of 2003/04 which went an entire season unbeaten.
The player returns to the club he left in 2002 to join Arsenal, having made 62 appearances.
