Patrice Evra has left Juventus to return to France, signing for ambitious Marseille on a contract through to the summer of 2018.
Evra, 35, has not been in the Juve squad since the winter break amid speculation linking him with Valencia or a return to Manchester United. But the France international has instead opted to go back to his homeland 11 years after leaving Monaco for Old Trafford.
He made just six Serie A appearances for the champions this term, although he had been an ever-present in the Bianconeri's Champions League campaign and had stated his ambition to win that competition with the Turin club.
OFFICIAL | @Evra is a new OM player. Welcome Patrice! #PatriceEstOlympien pic.twitter.com/B6fGaes1sn
- Olympique Marseille (@OM_English) January 25, 2017
Evra, who has won 81 caps for France, will be unveiled at a press conference on Thursday. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Marseille are still in negotiations with West Ham United to sign Dimitri Payet, who wants to go back to France from London.
In an official statement, Juve paid a glowing tribute to a player who won two Serie A and Coppa Italia doubles during his two campaigns in Turin.
"It was not merely on the pitch that Evra made his mark for the Bianconeri, but undoubtedly in the dressing room too, his bubbly, larger than life personality rubbing off positively on his peers, whilst he also showed genuine leadership qualities and a more serious side when the time was right," the statement read.
Two and a half years of magnificent service in Turin. #MerciPatrice 🇫🇷⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/cxbWkHPxK6
- JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) January 26, 2017
"It comes as no coincidence that it was Patrice, alongside captain Gianluigi Buffon, who led the rallying cries to the rest of the team after full-time of last season's chastening away defeat to Sassuolo -- a result which would immediately trigger the champions' unstoppable surge to a history-making fifth successive Scudetto title.
"With Uncle Pat around, as he is affectionately known, there's been no lack of light-hearted humour, his jokes and authentic imitations of team-mates in the J|Challenge bringing smiles to the faces of supporters and everyone associated with the club.
"Evra would be the first to admit, however, that comedy should never come at the cost of victory. Indeed, our number 33 departs Juventus with his status as natural-born winner even further enhanced."