Besiktas JK have cancelled the contract of their Brazilian international Amaral at the player's request.

Limited opportunities
Kivanç Oktay, a member of the Istanbul club's board, announced the midfield player's departure and Amaral cited a lack of first-team opportunities as the reason for his request to move on. "I did not have many first-team chances, I could not play as much as I wanted to," he said. "It was the best choice to leave."

Grateful for support
Amaral, who did not discuss his future plans, continued: "I wanted to leave and I talked to the board. They showed me understanding and let me leave. I have no problem with anybody and I want to thank, in particular, the Besiktas fans for their support. They were really great."

Previous clubs
Amaral, 29, only joined Besiktas in the summer from AC Fiorentina, following the Florence club's bankruptcy and relegation to Serie C2. He had made 14 appearances but the majority of them as a substitute. Amaral counts CR Vasco da Gama, Parma AC and SL Benfica among his former clubs.

Top of the table
Besiktas are top of the Turkish Super League and have advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, where they will face SK Slavia Praha next month. Amaral added: "I believe Besiktas will achieve their targets and reach the final of the UEFA Cup."