Asante Kotoko break silence on Brazilian star’s contract termination

Ghana Premier League giants, Asante Kotoko, have terminated the contract of Brazilian forward Michael Vinicius after just three months at the club.

The 28-year-old joined the Porcupine Warriors on a two-year contract during the second transfer window, as a replacement for Kwame Opoku who left for Algeria.

The former Fluminense forward managed to score twice in the Premier League for Kotoko.

Mariano Barreto, the head coach of the Porcupine Warriors, announced this on Wednesday after their MTN FA Cup game against Berkwai Youth Football Academy.

“Michael Vinícius is no more with us. The club will make an official announcement on his exit in the coming days,” Barreto said.

The management of Asante Kotoko in an official release explained that it decided to terminate the contract of striker Michael Vinicius to allow him to attend to pressing family issues in Brazil.

“The Brazilian forward who scored twice in 75mins of action requested for a three months leave without pay to help address some personal and family issues in brazil.

“These issues have prevented him from giving his very best to the club and he is unhappy about the situation.

“Management however thought it wise to mutually terminate and help him fully focus on the pressing issues,” the statement from Asante Kotoko has explained.

Vinicius played for Fluminense between 2012 and 2014, moved to Criciuma before returning to Fluminense in 2015.

He went on to feature for Estoril in Portugal during the 2015-16 season and made a comeback to his home country to play for America Mineiro, Resende and Cascavel before heading for Linkoping City in Sweden in 2019.

Last year, he transferred to Japanese third-tier side Grulla Marioka before returning to Sweden to join Vasalunds.