Ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Suarez unveiled to Gremio fans with huge sparklers and smoke

Former Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Suárez arrived at Gremio in style after being introduced to his new fans with huge flares and smoke.

The Brazilian club confirmed the signing of Suárez on Friday after the 35-year-old’s contract with Uruguayan boyhood club Nacional expired.

The team, based in the city of Porto Alegre, returned to Serie A in Brazil after a successful campaign in Serie B.

Former Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Suárez received an incredible welcome at his new club Gremio

Suárez was greeted by thousands of Gremio fans who turned out to see his dazzling performance.

And on Wednesday night, the club released exciting footage of Suárez coming out of the tunnel for thousands of fans at the Arena do Gremio who couldn’t contain their excitement when the striker appeared.

Suárez waved and applauded his new fan base as he walked onto the pitch with huge flares on either side as they chanted his name.

The striker also posted footage of the pitch that he had taken of Gremio fans jumping up and down and freaking out while holding flags and banners aloft. His caption read: ‘Unforgettable night. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU @Gremio’

It’s a rare welcome for Suárez, who has turned down opportunities in MLS or a big-money paycheck like some teams in the Middle East offer.

He will join a Gremio team where former Liverpool star Lucas Leiva also played, before the 35-year-old midfielder was forced to stop playing football indefinitely after a heart problem was detected in routine checks at preseason.

Gremio confirmed the signing of Suárez on Friday after the 35-year-old’s contract with Uruguayan boyhood club Nacional expired.

It was an exceptional welcome for Suárez, who turned down MLS opportunities and big-money paychecks.

Suárez previously played for Uruguayan side Nacional, where he started his career, and since his return to the club in July 2022, he has scored eight goals in 14 league games.

The veteran figure spent 16 years in European club football, first with Dutch clubs Groningen and Ajax, before moving to Liverpool in 2011.

After three years at Anfield, Suárez moved to Barcelona for six seasons, before transferring to LaLiga rivals Atlético Madrid for a further two years.

The striker is Uruguay’s all-time leading goalscorer on the international stage, but was unable to prevent his country from being knocked out in the group stage of the recent 2022 World Cup, falling behind Group H winners Portugal and the runner-up South Korea, which eclipsed the South Americans in goals scored.