Red Bulls and Juninho Part Ways

There isn't much on this yet, except a few tweets from the beat guys, so all we know is that Juninho, the 38-year-old midfielder the Red Bulls signed for playmaking and set pieces, is no longer with the team. The two have "mutually agree(d) to terminate his contract" according to the team.

The tweets:

Breaking news: Red Bulls part ways with Juninho. #RBNY

— Franco Panizo (@FrancoPanizo) July 3, 2013

Juninho thanks club for the "opportunity to experience MLS", which is about as faint praise as you can get. #RBNY

— Dan Dickinson (@GothamistDan) July 3, 2013

I'll have a bit more on the Juninho/#RBNY situation later today. Lets just say wasn't a good fit for either party from day one.

— Dave Martinez (@EmpireOfSoccer) July 3, 2013

I'll update with more information as it becomes available.

UPDATE (2:48 p.m.): Franco Panizo has a post over at SoccerByIves.net. It's not much, but it includes (rather boilerplate) statements from both the team and the player...

Andy Roxburgh...

"We are very disappointed that Juninho has decided to return to Brazil because he is a great professional and a very talented footballer," said Red Bulls Sporting Director Andy Roxburgh in a statement released by the club. "We wish him all of the best and thank him for his valuable contributions during the first half of the 2013 MLS campaign."

Juninho...

"Before I leave for home, I want to thank the New York Red Bulls for the opportunity to experience MLS and to wish my teammates and the club's excellent fans every success for the remainder of the season," Juninho said in the same statement.

UPDATE (3:15 p.m.): Panizo's got a little more on the friction between Juninho and the team in an update to his Soccer By Ives story...

Sources have told SBI that the veteran's frustrations stemmed with his lack of playing time and how he was used by head coach Mike Petke in the team's system. Juninho - who had not been in training the last two days as he tended to what Petke called a "personal matter" - critiqued his rookie head coach's tactics after last month's 2-1 home loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps, saying the team that was deployed was too predictable and defensive-minded with its two blocks of four.

UPDATE (3:51 p.m.): Here's Juninho's statement in full, thanks to the wonderful people (robots?) at Google Translate...

Decided to terminate my contract with the Red Bulls. I was not feeling well in the field, without surrendering what could and my relationship with Coach things even more difficult. I then decided to leave now and I want to thank the club the opportunity to enjoy the MLS. Likewise, thank the staff and fans who received me very well. And to my teammates, success in the rest of the league. About my future, I'll think about what to do and once you have a decision will communicate.