Brazil defender Lucio leaves Palmeiras

Sao Paulo: Former Brazil captain Lucio has left Palmeiras by mutual consent.

The 36-year-old centre-back struggled for form and fitness after signing a two-year deal with the Sao Paulo outfit early last year. He played 36 matches for eight-time Serie A champions Inter Milan and scored two goals.

Capped 106 times for Brazil, Lucio captained the Selecao to victory at the 2009 Confederations Cup. He was a member of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil side that won the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.