Adriano happy to be back with Flamengo

Striker Adriano said Thursday he was happy to be back with Brazilian side Flamengo after they re-signed their former star in the wake of his personal troubles with Inter Milan.

Inter rescinded the player’s contract last month after he returned to his homeland citing citing depression and the need for a break.

“I’m happy to be back – it was a life choice and that choice is Flamengo,” explained Adriano.

“There’s nothing better than being back with Flamengo. I didn’t leave (Inter) because I didn’t feel happy at the club but because I didn’t feel good in the country.”

Adding to his problems while in Italy was a recent separation from his girlfriend.

Flamengo vice-president Kleber Leite had said late Wednesday that “everything is done and dusted” regarding a deal for the 27-year-old, who scored 74 goals in his eight years with Inter.

According to Flamengo’s website Adriano will start training on May 18 after first resolving outstanding business in Italy.

There were no immediate details on either his salary – with Inter he was earning around 400,000 euros per month – or the length of his contract.

The forward joined Inter in 2001 though he had three loan spells – with Fiorentina for the first half of 2002, then Parma (late 2002 to January 2004) and finally Sao Paulo (in the first half of 2008).

He played 177 times for Inter, winning the Serie A title in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as well as two Italian Cups.

Adriano had disappeared from view since he was last seen in public sitting on the Brazil bench during an April 1 World Cup qualifying win over Peru though there were reports he had since spent time with friends in the rundown Rio suburb where he grew up.