Former Brazil striker Damiao to join Flamengo

Former Brazil striker Leandro Damiao has agreed to join Rio de Janeiro football giants Flamengo on a year-long loan from Santos, according to media reports.

Damiao, who will be 26 later this month, will receive a salary of around $180,000 a month, the Globo newspaper reported on Sunday, according to Xinhua.

The deal is expected to be officially announced by Flamengo this week.

Once considered one of Brazil's best attacking prospects, Damiao has been beset by injuries and poor form in recent years. He last played for the national team in 2013.

Having been considered surplus to Santos' needs, the forward was loaned out to Cruzeiro last year, where he scored just four goals in 23 Brazilian Serie A matches.

He then had un unhappy six month-loan spell at Spain's Real Betis, failing to score in three matches for the Sevilla club.

--IANS

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