Barcelona's Milito returns to Independiente

Barcelona's Argentinian international defender Gabriel Milito has quit the Spanish champions to return to his first club Independiente, the Argentinian first division side confirmed on Thursday.

The 30-year-old Milito, younger brother of Inter Milan striker Diego Milito, started his career with Independiente in 1997, before spending nine years in Spain, first with Real Zaragoza (2003-2007) and then Barcelona (2007-2011).

Milito had one year left on his contract with the European champions, but had fallen out of favour with coach Pep Guardiola.

He had expressed his desire to return to Argentina while playing in the Copa America last month in which the hosts were knocked out in the quarter-finals.