Brazilian club Vasco da Gama said it has reached a pre-contract agreement with midfielder Thiago Mendes, who landed in Rio de Janeiro late Tuesday to complete medical examinations before signing a deal running through December 2027. Mendes, 32, returns to Brazilian football after eight seasons abroad with Lille, Lyon and most recently Al Rayyan in Qatar, where he made 31 appearances last season. Speaking on arrival, he praised Vasco coach Fernando Diniz and said he expects to be match-fit within two weeks. The former São Paulo player, earmarked to wear the No. 23 shirt, described himself as a combative presence in midfield and said he hopes to “give joy to Vasco supporters” as the club looks to reinforce its squad for the remainder of the Brasileirão campaign.