Paqueta signs for Flamengo in record contract for South America: West Ham

Brazil’s Flamengo has signed West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta, the English club confirmed on Wednesday, in a record transfer in South American football that local media said was worth 42 million euros.

«West Ham United can confirm that Lucas Paqueta has been cleared to undergo a medical examination and discuss personal terms with Brazilian club Flamengo, after a fee was agreed for his permanent transfer,» the club said in a statement.

Brazilian Paqueta, 28, was cleared in July of spot-fixing charges that likely cost him a move to Manchester City two years ago.

Paqueta returns to his boyhood club Flamengo, where he played in the first team for three seasons between 2016 and 2018.

Published on January 28, 2026