Defender Castan leaves Roma to join Vasco da Gama

Rio de Janeiro : Former Brazil centre-back Leandro Castan is close to joining Vasco da Gama after parting ways with AS Roma.

The 31-year-old confirmed his departure from the Italian Serie A side on social media on Saturday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Vasco will officially announce his signing in the coming days, according to Brazilian press reports.

Castan, who has been capped twice for Brazil's national team, made 72 Serie A appearances for Roma after joining the club from Corinthians in 2012.

In the past three years he has had loan spells at Sampdoria, Torino and Cagliari after falling out of favour with the Italian capital outfit.