Middlesbrough midfielder Fabio Rochemback is on the verge of completing a return to former club Sporting Lisbon.

The Brazil international is in Portugal to undergo a medical after Middlesbrough decided against renewing his current contract.

The 26-year-old spent two years at the Portuguese club on loan from Barcelona before moving to Teesside in 2005.

He played in the UEFA Cup final in his debut season for Boro but, while he eventually made 91 appearances for the club, he was constantly in and out of manager Gareth Southgate's first team.

Rochemback said at Lisbon airport: "I am optimistic. I am happy to be able to return to Lisbon. I was always wanted in Sporting and it feels like home."

The midfielder's parting gesture to the fans at the Riverside was his spectacular goal from a free-kick in the 8-1 win over Manchester city on the final day of the season, his seventh for the club.

Eurosport