<
>

Pablo Armero departs AC Milan for Brazil giants Flamengo

Brazilian giants Flamengo have signed Colombia left back Pablo Armero on loan from Udinese until the end of the year.

The 28-year-old defender had been playing with AC Milan, also on a loan.

He had been looking for a way out of Milan after struggling to break into the first team.

"I'm not one of those who likes to talk much about what goes on within a club, but the situation is pretty difficult at Milan because [Milan manager Filippo] Inzaghi said: 'Come here because I need you,' and I thought he really meant it -- but I never play," he told Colombian website El Universal in November.

On Friday, Flamengo officially introduced Armero, one of Colombia's stars at the World Cup in Brazil last year.

Armero returns to a Brazilian club for the first time since he played for current Flamengo coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo at Palmeiras in 2009 and 2010.

He attracted headlines at the World Cup by leading his teammates in a rhythmic dance that ignited the fans. It was the same dance that became a sensation after he started doing it when he played for Palmeiras in 2010.

Financial details of Armero's transfer were not immediately disclosed.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.