Corinthians part ways with Adriano

Corinthians have announced that they have released former Brazil international Adriano from the remainder of his contract.

The 30-year-old striker’s deal with the club expired in June, and the Brazilian champions had already said that it would not be renewed unless the former Inter star showed more commitment.

“Corinthians did everything to help Adriano,” sporting director Roberto de Andrade told Radio Globo. “He said that himself.”

“We did everything in our power to make him fit again. We came to the conclusion it was best to terminate the contract and he agreed.”

Adriano signed for Corinthians in March 2011 after a frustrating spell at Roma, but an Achilles tendon injury and the player’s excessive weight saw him make just eight appearances for the club.

He further infuriated the club’s officials on Friday, when he refused to weigh himself after training, but the final straw came two days later as the striker asked for permission to skip Sunday’s practice session.

Coach Tite said admitted the striker’s attitude was poor and withdrew him from the squad for the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Guarani.

“He is out of the team because he didn’t practice the way we wanted him to practice,” Tite said. “He lacked intensity, quality and dedication. He didn’t reach the level we wanted him to reach physically and technically.”

In January, former Corinthians president Andres Sanchez confessed that he made the wrong move when he signed Adriano.

Roberto de Andrade added that Corinthians are in discussions with Adriano regarding a compensation package and stressed that the player would not be fined for his recent behaviour.

Adriano was a member of the Brazil squad for the 2006 World Cup but missed the 2010 tournament in South Africa.