Rio de Janeiro, Jan 3 (IANS): Brazil's Botafogo denied reports of a move to sign former Uruguay international striker Loco Abreu.

The 38-year-old had triggered speculation of a return to his former team when he met with Botafogo officials in Montevideo last week, reported Xinhua.

"There is no plan for Loco Abreu to return," the Rio de Janeiro club's football manager Antonio Lopes told reporters Friday.

"His name hasn't been mentioned in our discussions."

Abreu represented Botafogo from 2010 to 2012 and became a favourite among fans after leading the club to the Rio de Janeiro state title in his first season.

He is a free agent after ending his contract with Argentina's Rosario Central earlier this month.

Botafogo will play in Brazil's Serie B this year after finishing second-last in the top division in 2014.

The two-time Serie A champions last month replaced coach Vagner Mancini with Rene Simoes, who guided Jamaica to their first World Cup in 1998.