Official: Eduardo joins SC Braga from Chelsea

After three years and zero appearances, veteran Chelsea goalkeeper Eduardo has left the club, and this time for good.

On Monday, the 36-year-old was confirmed to have joined SC Braga, the club where he got his start, coming up through the youth ranks in the late ‘90s, and making over 100 appearances before trying his luck in Italy, Turkey, and England.

Last year, he spent the full season on loan at Vitesse, where he made 34 appearances across all competitions. He had been released by Chelsea, then re-signed and immediately loaned out to make him probably the oldest and certainly most random member of the Loan Army ever.

Speaking of armies, SC Braga’s official tweet announcing one of their own’s return unearthed a hilarious picture of Eduardo flexing in some Roman Era armor. They claim it’s from two decades ago, although Eduardo already looked about 40. Hah!

Even though he had no opportunity to wear the Chelsea shirt in a competitive match, Eduardo was the third goalkeeper during our last Premier League and FA Cup-winning campaigns in 2016-17. That is the kind of experience he will hope to bring back to Braga, as they look to challenge the biggest clubs in the Portuguese Primeira — they finished fourth last season and will also contest the qualifying rounds of the Europa League this summer.

“Coming back here [to Braga] already brings me all motivation and will [to succeed]. Those who know me are aware of how I am and how I work. I am an ambitious person and I never run away from challenges. My career gave me lots of experience, and I hope to use that to the club’s advantage.”

“I had many offers but from the moment that the club president spoke to me, everything came together, and I made my decision. Moving back to the club close to my heart and with the feeling that people are counting on me is an enormous source of pride.”

-Eduardo; Source: S.C. Braga

Before his arrival at Stamford Bridge back in 2016, Eduardo had a notable spell with Dinamo Zagreb, with whom he won back-to-back Croatian league titles. He was also part of the Portuguese national team squad that won the 2016 European Championship.

Now he joins Rob Green in taking his veteran experience somewhere else. Good luck, Eduardo!