Man City have confirmed they have reached an agreement to loan Robinho to Santos for six months.

Mancini wishes Brazilian well on return to South America

Criticism

Manchester City have confirmed that they have reached an agreement to loan Robinho to Santos for a period of six months. It is understood that the Brazilian will now return to his homeland on Sunday, with City announcing Santos will assume all of the player's contract terms, including wages and bonuses. Robinho stated prior to Sunday's FA Cup victory at Scunthorpe, in which he started and scored, that he was unhappy he was not guaranteed first-team football under Roberto Mancini in a World Cup year. Manager Mancini wanted the British-record signing of predecessor Mark Hughes to stay at Eastlands but omitted the former Real Madrid man from Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final defeat at Manchester United.The move was viewed as evidence that Robinho, who had previously stated he was '90 per cent certain' to join former club Santos, was set to leave and the £32.5million man's temporary exit has now become reality. Mancini told City's: "Robinho is someone who needs to be playing regularly and we wish him well for the period of his loan." Robinho joined City on the final day of the transfer window of summer 2008 but, despite a bright start, his career stalled at Eastlands and the 26-year-old has come in for criticism from fans who have been left underwhelmed by his attitude. Speculation in South America has suggested that, having agreed to the deal, City will demand the first option on Santos forward Neymar in the future. City have also yet to give up hope of signing Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson before Monday's transfer deadline, despite the Championship club snubbing an offer.