Juninho set to rejoin Middlesbrough

Updated: Wednesday July 03, 2002 09:47 a.m. ET

MIDDLESBROUGH, England (Reuters) -- Brazilian midfielder Juninho is set for a return to English premier league club Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has agreed a fee with Spain's Atletico Madrid for the 29-year-old World Cup winner, currently on loan at Brazilian club Flamengo.

"Keith went out yesterday to Madrid and spoke to the club and we've agreed a fee," manager Steve McClaren told the club's website.

"All it needs now it for us to speak to the player and see if we can come to an agreement which would bring him back to Middlesbrough.

"I know what kind of player he is and we've watched him very closely. We're hoping Juninho wants to come here and take his career forward with us.

"We've had positive vibes from all parties."

Juninho was first brought to the club in the north east of England by Bryan Robson in 1995, before moving to Atletico in 1997.

He made a brief return to Teesside on loan in 1997, then joined Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in August 2000, where he won the league title.

He was a regular in Brazil's qualifying campaign for the World Cup and featured in five of their finals matches, including a late substitute appearance in their 2-0 win over Germany in the final.

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