On Monday it was confirmed that Wellington had returned to his old club, Fluminense.

Signing a four-year deal back in his homeland, the 23-year-old brought to an end an Arsenal adventure than never really featured much Arsenal.

Denied a ‘special talent’ visa by the Home Office after initially being granted one, the Brazilian was forced to play on loan around Spain in order to qualify to work in the UK (say bye-bye to that back-door with Brexit) but his first few seasons were marred by attitude problems.

Seeming to sort himself out, he finally landed in England for another loan but now Arsenal have apparently given up on the player and shipped him out with two years on his contract.

The fee is largely reported as ‘undisclosed’ but doing a little digging sees a figure of £3m cropping up and, if true, that means the club have almost made back the money they outlaid for him in 2011 when they purchased him from Fluminense – £3.4m.

Of course, this still means that Arsenal are out £400k (£737k if you adjust for inflation).

That works out at around £72k per year for the five and a half years he was an Arsenal player. Factor in his wages and the fact that he didn’t even play a minute of football for the club and you get a feel for how expensive and risky football really is.

Speaking about his return, Wellington said, “I am very happy. I want to thank Fluminense for this opportunity after so long to go back, I’m eager to start. I am very anxious, really it is like the first time.

“[My] Desire to return has always existed. When I learned that it was possible I was nervous for 10 days.

“I am very happy and I have no words to thank. Now I have to train and get on to the field as quickly as possible.”

Unsurprisingly, Arsenal have yet to comment.