Juninho to play on at Vasco da Gama

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 10 Former Lyon and Brazil international midfielder Juninho has signed a five-month contract extension with Vasco da Gama.

Juninho, 39 this month, had been expected to retire following a hamstring injury that prematurely ended his 2013 season, reports Xinhua.

But Vasco’s football director Rodrigo Caetano said the veteran had recovered impressively.

“The results of the (medical) exams couldn’t be better,” Caetano said Thursday.

“Everybody knows of Juninho’s professionalism and he is recovering very well.”

Juninho has so far only committed to playing the Rio de Janeiro state championship but could still join the club’s league campaign starting in June.

“The contract expires May 30 and then we will sit down and talk again,” Caetano said.

Vasco will play their first match of 2014 against Boavista Jan 18.