Cagliari, moving farewell to Joao Pedro

The island club’s salute to the striker

As widely predicted in recent days, Joao Pedro is leaving Cagliari to fly to Turkey and join Fenerbahce. The officialdom of the farewell came on Thursday evening, with the island club posting a farewell message for the naturalized Italian-born Brazilian footballer.

“Eight seasons together: the club pays tribute to a striker who, with his goals, no less than 86, became part of Cagliari’s history,” the note reads. “Among the most prolific scorers of all time, he was the only Rossoblù, after the legend Gigi Riva, to have reached double figures in Serie A for three consecutive championships.

“Arriving in Sardinia when he was 22 years old,” the statement continued, “Joao Pedro became a man and a footballer on the island, consecrating himself among the top players in the Italian league and playing a total of 270 games in the Rossoblù.

“Best wishes for your future, Joao,” is the club’s moving final greeting to the striker.