Inter cancel Adriano's contract

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Inter Milan released Adriano today after the Brazil striker deserted the club earlier this month.

Inter said Adriano's contract with the Serie A team had been consensually ended effective 1 April.

"Inter's appreciation goes to Adriano for the eight years and 74 goals we lived through together," the club said in a statement on its Web site.

After the last break for national team play, Adriano announced from Brazil that he was taking a break from football and cut off contact with coaches and teammates for three days.

Adriano joined Inter in 2001. After loan spells with Fiorentina and Parma, he scored 29 goals in his first full two seasons with the Nerazzurri in 2004-05 and 2005-06, but has struggled with his form since.