Botafogo in talks with Uruguay striker Abreu

Loco Abreu

Rio de Janeiro, Dec 24 (IANS) Brazil's Botafogo have begun talks to sign club idol and former Uruguay international striker Loco Abreu.

The 38-year-old met with Botafogo officials in Montevideo this week and is open to a return to the Rio de Janeiro club next year, Xinhua quoted O Globo as saying.

A favourite among fans, Abreu represented Botafogo from 2010 to 2012 and led the club to the Rio de Janeiro state title in his first season.

He is a free agent after ending his contract with Argentina's Rosario Central earlier this month.

Botafogo will play in Brazil's Serie B in 2015 after finishing second-last in the top division this year.

The two-time Serie A champions last week replaced coach Vagner Mancini with Rene Simoes, who guided Jamaica to their first World Cup in 1998.