Inter central midfielder Joao Mario has announced that he is returning to the club following the end of his loan deal with Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow.
The Portuguese national team midfielder joined Lokomotiv Moscow in a season long loan this past Summer and the loan was briefly extended to allow him to finish the Russian Premier League season.
Although Lokomotiv Moscow had an option to buy him outright for €18 million, they have decided against taking it up and it is for this reason that Joao Mario is returning to Inter.
Joao Mario joined Inter back in 2016 from Sporting CP but has never hit the heights expected of him in his time with the club. He is widely expected to leave the club over the coming months.
Whilst on loan at Lokomotiv Moscow, the 27-year-old made 22 appearances across all competitions to date, in which he scored one goal and provided six assists for his teammates.
He posted the following to Instagram: “I would like to thank everyone at Lokomotiv Moscow, from the President to the coaching staff, my colleagues and the fans, for making me feel at home during this season.
“It has been a pleasure to wear your shirt and to fight for your colours. I am leaving with a very positive feeling about the moments we shared together. All the best.”
