Manchester City misfit Robinho will be leaving the club to join former club Santos on a six-month loan deal.
The Brazilian superstar has failed to live up to all the hype since his British record £32.5 million switch from Real Madrid in September 2008.
He signed on the first day of Sheikh Mansour's ownership of City and enjoyed a fine season, ending the campaign as top scorer with 15 goals.
But his form tailed off and he has often been the target of criticism for a perceived lack of effort, especially away from Eastlands.
This season he has struggled to hold down a first-team place, first under Mark Hughes and latterly under new boss Roberto Mancini.
The low point came earlier this month when, having come on as a second-half substitute, the 26-year-old was then replaced during City's 2-0 defeat at Everton.
"The club can confirm that it has reached agreement with Santos for Robinho to join them on a six-month loan," read a statement on the City's official website. "The agreement takes immediate effect and ends on August 4.
"Santos will assume all of the player's contract terms, including wages and bonuses. Robinho will travel to Brazil on Sunday to begin his loan period."
City chief Mancini added: "Robinho is someone who needs to be playing regularly and we wish him well for the period of his loan."
Robinho’s last appearance came in the 4-2 FA Cup win over Scunthorpe at the weekend, an occasion he marked with a goal.
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 Pelé and Santos' new player Robinho wave to fans during his presentationPhoto: AP |
The Brazilian superstar has failed to live up to all the hype since his British record £32.5 million switch from Real Madrid in September 2008.
He signed on the first day of Sheikh Mansour's ownership of City and enjoyed a fine season, ending the campaign as top scorer with 15 goals.
But his form tailed off and he has often been the target of criticism for a perceived lack of effort, especially away from Eastlands.
This season he has struggled to hold down a first-team place, first under Mark Hughes and latterly under new boss Roberto Mancini.
The low point came earlier this month when, having come on as a second-half substitute, the 26-year-old was then replaced during City's 2-0 defeat at Everton.
"The club can confirm that it has reached agreement with Santos for Robinho to join them on a six-month loan," read a statement on the City's official website. "The agreement takes immediate effect and ends on August 4.
"Santos will assume all of the player's contract terms, including wages and bonuses. Robinho will travel to Brazil on Sunday to begin his loan period."
City chief Mancini added: "Robinho is someone who needs to be playing regularly and we wish him well for the period of his loan."
Robinho’s last appearance came in the 4-2 FA Cup win over Scunthorpe at the weekend, an occasion he marked with a goal.
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