Severing ties: Inter to release Adriano

MILAN - Inter Milan appear ready to sever ties with Adriano after the Brazil striker deserted the club earlier this month. Inter have already reached an agreement with Adriano's agent, Gilmar Rinaldi, and need only to register the move with the league office, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported yesterday.

After the last break for national duty, Adriano announced in Brazil that he was taking a break after cutting off contact with his team for three days.

Adriano joined Inter in 2001. After loan spells with Fiorentina and Parma, he scored 29 goals in his first full two seasons with the Nerazzurri in 2004-05 and 2005-06, but has struggled with his form since.