Ex-Chelsea star David Luiz makes shock return to European football at 38 as he joins Champions League club on free transfer after terminating Fortaleza contract

Former Chelsea and Brazil star David Luiz has made a shock return to European football with Champions League club Pafos FC in Cyprus. The defender left Europe in 2021 after spending two years at Arsenal. He took in spells with Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Fortaleza, but is now back in Europe at the age of 38.

  • Luiz returns to Europe after four years away
  • Last played for in Europe
  • Has joined a club 

Ex-Chelsea star David Luiz makes shock return to European football at 38 as he joins Champions League club on free transfer after terminating Fortaleza contractEx-Chelsea star David Luiz makes shock return to European football at 38 as he joins Champions League club on free transfer after terminating Fortaleza contractEx-Chelsea star David Luiz makes shock return to European football at 38 as he joins Champions League club on free transfer after terminating Fortaleza contract

Luiz, who signed for Brazilian side in January 2025 on a one-year deal, terminated his contract mutually on August 1 before securing a move to Cyprus-based Pafos. He has signed a three-year contract with the club, who will compete in the Champions League qualifying rounds. u0026nbsp;

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The official statement from Pafos read: “ is proud to announce the signing of Brazilian football icon David Luiz, who joins the club on a contract until 2027. This landmark transfer marks the most historic moment in Cypriot football — the arrival of a global superstar whose name has echoed in the world’s greatest stadiums.”u0026nbsp;

Luiz prematurely terminated his contract with Fortaleza after struggling for game time under Renato Paiva due to constant injuries. He was limited to making just 17 appearances for the club. The veteran defender has now returned to Europe after four years away and could once again be competing in the Champions League in the 2025-26 campaign.u0026nbsp; u0026nbsp;

The 38-year-old centre-back is currently out of action with a thigh injury and will not feature in the first leg of Pafos’ Champions League third round qualifier against Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday.u0026nbsp; u0026nbsp;