Lille, France, Jan 22, 2020 (AFP) - Lille have loaned Brazilian midfielder Thiago Maia to Flamengo for 18 months, the Ligue 1 club announced on Wednesday.

Bought in 2017 for 14 million euros ($15.5 million), the 22-year-old leaves for his home country after making just three substitute appearances in Ligue 1 and playing once in the Champions League this season.

Maia has played 61 times in the French top flight in total.

In a statement, Lille said that Flamengo have an option to buy at the end of the loan period, with Brazilian media putting the price at eight million euros.