Former Brazil midfielder Josue joins Atletico Mineiro

Rio de Janeiro, March 21 (IANS)

Stuttgart’s midfielder Ibrahima Traore from Guinea (L) vies for the ball with Wolfsburg’s Brazilian midfielder Josue during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1. FC Cologne and FC Bayern Muenchen in Cologne, western Germany, on May 5, 2012. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOF STACHE

German first division club Wolfsburg has confirmed the departure of midfielder Josue to Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Belo Horizonte outfit, Wolfsburg said in a statement on its official website Wednesday night, reports Xinhua.

“I’m obviously very sad to be leaving but it’s going to be a great challenge for me,” said Josue, who played 28 internationals for Brazil between 2007 and 2010.

“I had a great time at the club with highs and lows. Wolfsburg will always be in my heart,” he said.

Josue will help reinforce an Atletico midfield that also includes two-time FIFA world player of the year Ronaldinho and reported Chelsea target Bernard.

He joined Wolfsburg in 2007 from Goias and helped the club to the Bundesliga title in 2008-09.