Brazilian Juninho to leave Lyon after glittering stay
LYON (Reuters) - Former Brazil midfielder Juninho will leave Olympique Lyon at the end of the season after winning seven Ligue 1 titles with the French club.
"He asked us yesterday to let him go as free agent. For all he has done and for all he represents for us, we thought it would be fair to agree," Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas told reporters on Tuesday.
"Juni is going to leave us," he added as the 34-year-old player burst into tears next to him.
Juninho''s contract was due to expire at the end of next season. He joined Lyon in 2001 and helped them win seven successive Ligue 1 titles before they finished third this season.
He is suspended for the last round of games next Saturday. He scored his 100th goal for Lyon during a 3-1 home victory against Caen in what was his last appearance for the club on Saturday.
Juninho won 44 caps for Brazil, scoring seven goals.