Jesse Lingard joins Corinthians – what awaits him in Brazil?
It’s a tradition that, with a few breaks over the years, has endured since the 1960s.
Every time Corinthians unveil a big signing, a siren sounds at their social club headquarters, Parque Sao Jorge.
It was like this with Socrates, Rivaldo, Carlos Tevez, Ronaldo ‘Phenomenon’ and, more recently, Memphis Depay.
The siren will be heard once again in eastern Sao Paulo as Corinthians introduce Jesse Lingard as their new signing. The former Manchester United midfielder arrives as a free agent after leaving South Korean club FC Seoul in December.
He has signed a contract until the end of the year, with the possibility it could be extended until the end of 2027 if certain goals are met.
Lingard had offers from other clubs, but, after a quick call to his former United team-mate Depay, he was in no doubt about his decision and had a flight booked even before a verbal agreement was in place.
A unique experience now awaits Lingard across the Atlantic.
Not only because the 33-year-old is set to become the first English footballer to feature in the Brazilian top flight.
But also because Corinthians themselves are a unique force in the domestic context, too.
“Every team has supporters. Corinthians are supporters who have a team,” journalist Jose Roberto de Aquino famously put it.
And they refer to themselves in a very particular way: “bando de loucos” – a bunch of crazies – a label the club has proudly embraced.
“Welcome to the madhouse,” reads a sign in the tunnel leading visiting sides to the pitch at the Neo Quimica Arena.
Corinthians fans are widely known as the most loyal in the country. For better and for worse, as Lingard will soon find out first-hand.
When the black and white team beat Chelsea 1-0 in the 2012 Intercontinental Cup final, 40,000 supporters travelled to Japan. They have also raised around £6m through a crowdfunding campaign to help the club pay for their stadium and saw their following grow even when the team went 23 years without a trophy.
That run came to an end in 1977 with a Sao Paulo State Championship title.
It was not a coincidence that Lingard was handed the number 77. It carries weight and he will know that from day one.