Juninho jets home

By European Football
April 7 2005

Ex Middlesbrough and Celtic star and World cup winner Juninho has returned to his native Brazil to sign for Palmeiras. He was released from his contract by Celtic, after making very little impression with the SPL club during his 7 months there.

Martin O’Neill stated on his departure:

"It’s been disappointing but I said to him I would not keep him a prisoner. He came to me a week or two ago and said he had an opportunity to go to Brazil. “

"The league was starting up again and there was a possibility of him going so he asked if he could be freed from his contract and I didn’t have a problem with it. “

"Naturally I am disappointed. When we took over his contract from Middlesbrough he was finding it difficult.”

"They were spending big money trying to improve their team and he was on the periphery of things. “

"I thought he would come here and we would be a new lease of life for him and the response from everybody would be great.”

"I thought his particular response would be just what we needed."