Jesse Lingard joins Corinthians – what awaits him in Brazil?

It’s a tradition that has continued since the 1960s, with a few breaks over the years.

Every time Corinthians unveils a big signing, a siren goes off at the headquarters of their social club, Parque São Jorge.

It was like that with Socrates, Rivaldo, Carlos Tevez, the Ronaldo phenomenon, and more recently Memphis Depay.

Sirens will be heard again in East Sao Paulo as Corinthians introduce Jesse Lingard as their new signing. The former Manchester United midfielder arrives as a free agent after leaving South Korean club FC Seoul in December.

He had offers from other clubs, but after a quick call to former United team-mate Depay, he had no doubts about his decision and a trip was booked for him even before a verbal agreement was reached.

A unique experience now awaits Lingard across the Atlantic.

Not only because the 33-year-old is set to become the first English footballer to feature in the Brazilian Premier League.

But also because the Corinthians themselves represented a unique force in the local context as well.

“Every team has supporters. Corinthians are supporters who have a team,” said journalist José Roberto de Aquino.

They refer to themselves in a very special way: “Pando de Locos” – a group of madmen – a label the club proudly embraces.

“Welcome to the madhouse,” says a sign in the tunnel that leads visiting teams onto the field at New Quimica Arena.

Corinthians fans are widely known as the most loyal in the country. For better and for worse, as Lingard will soon discover firsthand.

When the Black and Whites beat Chelsea 1-0 in the 2012 Intercontinental Cup final, 40,000 fans traveled to Japan. They also raised around £6 million through a crowdfunding campaign to help the club pay for their stadium and saw their following grow even as the team went 23 years without a trophy.

This run ended in 1977 with the São Paulo State Championship title.

It was no coincidence that Lingard got the number 77. He carries weight and he will know it from day one.