Brazil's Neymar controls the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 against Peru at the National Stadium in Lima, Peru. (AP)

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 29, (AP): Neymar has agreed to return to Santos nearly 12 years after he left the Brazilian team, club president Marcelo Teixeira said Tuesday.

The Brazil striker confirmed earlier that his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal had been terminated by mutual consent. He had an injury-marred spell at Al-Hilal, where he played only seven matches and scored once.

Neymar won six titles with his boyhood club Santos, including a Copa Libertadores trophy in 2011. Santos is a beachfront city outside São Paulo.

"It is the time (to come back), Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts,” Teixeira said on his social media channels. "Welcome, our boy Ney! A boy of Vila (Belmiro, Santos’ stadium). Come back to be happy again with the white and black shirt. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”

'Neymar, once hailed as one of the world’s best players, spent much of his time in Saudi Arabia on the sidelines due to an ACL injury he picked playing for Brazil in October 2023.

São Paulo media reported that the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star is expected to return to Brazil this week and reintroduce himself to Santos fans within days.

Neymar became the most expensive player in soccer history when he transferred from Barcelona to PSG for 222 million euros (then $262 million) in 2017.

Neymar’s spokeswoman, Day Franco, told The Associated Press the player had no immediate comment.

However, Neymar responded with a heart gif to a post of Kely Nascimento, one of the daughters of three-time World Cup winner Pelé, celebrating his return to Santos.