The Cypriot adventure for David Luiz as he moves to Pafos FC which caps glittering career. In a move that left observers of the beautiful game shocked, former Chelsea and Arsenal defender David Luiz has signed with Cypriot champions Pafos FC, returning to European football at 38 after spending four years in Brazil. The Brazilian cult hero signed a two-year deal to play through 2027 and be the marquee face of a historic UEFA Champions League qualification run for Pafos.
A Career-Defining Transfer for Luiz
Luiz’s journey to Cyprus follows a turbulent seven-month stint at Brazil’s Fortaleza, where injuries restricted him to 17 appearances before a mutual contract termination in early August 2025. Within days, Pafos announced his signing, hailing it as “the most historic moment in Cypriot football” and celebrating his “unmatched experience, charisma, and warrior spirit”. The club emphasized his legacy at elite clubs like Chelsea – where he won the 2012 UEFA Champions League – and PSG, where he lifted eight trophies, including two Ligue 1 titles.
David Luiz signs for Pafos FC on a free transfer 🇧🇷
The former Chelsea defender joins the Cypriot side as they push through the UEFA Champions League qualifiers 🔵 pic.twitter.com/PwmntBrDmq
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 5, 2025
Pafos’ European Ambitions
The moment has come for Pafos to make their first foray into Europe. After winning Cyprus’ First Division, they qualified for the Champions League. They defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv en route to a playoff in which they would face Dynamo Kyiv. With Luiz in the door just prior to that tie, it’s clear Pafos have ambitions to get to group stage. As Pafos stated after announcing the signing, he “redefines the limits of what adventure is possible in Cypriot football.” He joins Pafos’ ranks including Portuguese players such as Domingos Quina and Pêpê Rodrigues and links back up with Juan Carlos Carcedo as head coach, a former assistant to Arsène Wenger at Arsenal.
Luiz: Legacy and Role
Trophy pedigree: While Luiz has 70+ career goals and over 700 appearances on record, he also has something very few players have, a true continental treble: Copa Libertadores (Flamengo), UEFA Champions League (Chelsea), and domestic trophies in Europe and South America.
Leadership arsenal: Finally, regarding leadership, Mikel Arteta at Arsenal described Luiz as a mentor and ambassador for the younger players. Pafos too will welcome this when he arrives. His 57 caps with Brazil included the 2014 World Cup semi-final and winning the Confederations Cup in 2013.
Controversy and charisma: Luiz brought some defensive deficiencies to Arsenal including conceding 5 penalties in one season. But no one can question his passion. When he left for Arsenal in 2019, he said that staff members from Chelsea “were begging for him to return.”
📝 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗘: Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender David Luiz has returned to Europe and signed for Pafos FC in Cyprus.
He's penned a contract until 2027. 🇧🇷✈️🇨🇾
(Source: @PafosFC) pic.twitter.com/NZ7WAOdS5x
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 4, 2025
The Bigger Picture
This transfer defies conventional twilight-career moves. Instead of retiring or joining a legacy league, Luiz embraced a pioneering role in Cyprus. Pafos gains a global ambassador; Luiz secures a platform to compete in Europe’s premier tournament one last time. As he told talkSPORT in 2023, ambition fuels him – a mindset he famously instilled in Arsenal’s squad during Arteta’s rebuild.
What’s Next?
All eyes turn to Dynamo Kyiv on August 5–6. Should Pafos triumph, Luiz could face former clubs in the group stage. Regardless, his presence electrifies a nation rarely graced by players of his stature. As Cypriot football enters a new adventure, David Luiz – the eternal champion – aims to script one final underdog triumph.
Final Verdict
David Luiz’s shock move to Pafos FC at 38 isn’t merely a swansong – it’s a seismic statement. By joining the Cypriot champions, the ex-Chelsea and Arsenal icon transforms from Premier League cult hero into a pioneer for Europe’s emerging leagues. His two-year deal, driven by Pafos’ historic UEFA Champions League qualification bid, leverages his 700+ games of elite experience against Dynamo Kyiv this week. Luiz sacrifices prestige for purpose: elevating Cypriot football’s profile while chasing a final European fairytale. For Pafos, he’s the ultimate ambassador-trophy; for Luiz, a chance to cement his legacy as football’s eternal adventurer. This move proves twilight careers can still spark revolutions.
Recommended for you