Brazil midfielder Josue moves from Sao Paulo to Wolfsburg

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Brazil midfielder Josue reached a deal to move from Brazilian champion Sao Paulo to German club Wolfsburg.

Josue, who has been a regular in Brazil's national team this year, will be transferred for nearly US$2 million (€1.4 million), Sao Paulo said on its Web site. The 28-year-old player will keep US$280,000 (€205,000) of that fee.

Josue's contract with Sao Paulo will expire at the end of the year, and he was expected to play only another 12 Brazilian league matches between assignments with the national team.

"It was his desire to play in Europe and to release him was our way of recognizing his magnificent work for Sao Paulo," said the club's vice president, Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva.

Josue has been with Sao Paulo since 2005 after being signed from Goias. He played 157 matches for the four-time national champion, scoring seven goals and helping it win the Copa Libertadores, the Club World Cup, the Sao Paulo state championship and the Brazilian league.

Sao Paulo leads the national championship by seven points from Botafogo, which has a game in hand.