Gremio releases Brazilian striker Amoroso

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Two-time Copa Libertadores champion Gremio released veteran striker Amoroso on Monday.

The former AC Milan forward had a contract until the end of 2008, but Gremio said it did not intend to use him anymore.

The 33-year-old Amoroso moved to Gremio from Corinthians three months ago to help the club in the Copa Libertadores. Amoroso sustained a muscle injury shortly after arriving, however, and played sparingly as Gremio was lost to Boca Juniors in the final of Latin American club championship.

He started only once in the Copa Libertadores, and played a total of only 11 matches with Gremio.

Amoroso was signed by Milan in 2006 after helping Sao Paulo win the Copa Libertadores and FIFA's Club World Cup in 2005.

Gremio, the Copa Libertadores winner in 1983 and 1995, is eighth in the 20-team Brazilian league standings with 25 points from 17 matches. Its next match is Thursday against America at Olimpico stadium in Porto Alegre.