At 40, Ex-Uruguan Defender Sebastian Abreu Joins New Club Bangu

Former Uruguay international striker Sebastian Abreu said that his signing with Brazilian minnows Bangu represented “a good fit” as he extends his professional career to a 23rd year.

Abreu, 40, was officially presented to the media almost two months after the Rio state-league club announced his signing.

“I liked the eagerness of the board, who showed that I could be an important part of a winning project,” Abreu told a press conference.

“I thought it would be a good fit, apart from coming back to Rio, which is a very special city.”

Abreu was a free agent after helping El Tecla win El Salvador’s league title last week with two goals in the final against Alianza.

Bangu will be the 24th club of Abreu’s professional career, which started at Uruguay’s Defensor Sporting Club in 1996.

It will be his second spell with a Rio de Janeiro-based side, having also represented Botafogo from 2010 to 2012.

When asked about whether he could still be an important player aged 40, Abreu replied: “If you have doubts about my form just take a look on Youtube.”

Abreu was capped 70 times for Uruguay’s national team and scored 20 international goals.