Palmeiras confirmed the departure of forward Mazinho on Monday, with the player set to join J-League side Vissel Kobe for 2013.
The offer had been rejected under former president Arnaldo Tirone at the start of January. However, under the new leadership of Paulo Nobre, the deal has been revived.
After a good Paulista championship campaign last season, Mazinho found himself little used by manager Gilson Kleina following the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari.
In Japan, he will be joined by former Partizan Belgrade striker Cléo, who has joined Kashiwa Reysol on a year’s loan from Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
Since the arrival of Paraguay’s Lucas Barrios in 2012, Cléo has fallen out of coach Marcello Lippi’s first-team plans and he will now follow defender Paulão out of the club on loan.
He leaves China as a double title-winner, as well as a 2012 Chinese FA Cup winner, having joined as the club’s then record signing for €3.2 million in 2011.
Source: Lancenet
