Neymar announced Thursday he was returning to Brazilian club Santos, where he started his career, after ending his injury-plagued spell with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal. - Pele's heir - At the start of his career he was cast as the heir to Pele.

Neymar will return to his boyhood club Santos, the team's president announced on Tuesday, a day after he ended his disappointing stay with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal.

According to reports, Neymar and Saudi club Al Hilal have agreed to part ways, allowing the star forward to return to Santos, the team that launched his professional career, on a six-month deal.