Sporting KC waives defender Igor Julião

Sporting Kansas City waived defender Igor Julião, cutting short his second stint with the club, a source told The Star.

Julião has appeared in only one match this season after Sporting KC acquired him on loan in January from Brazilian club Fluminense FC. The loan was initially set to last through the end of 2017.

Julião, 22, is a right outside back who spent the 2014 season with Sporting KC, also on loan from Fluminense. He was named the club’s newcomer of the year after starting 23 league matches in 2014.

After two years back home in his native Brazil, Julião’s second spell in Kansas City offered little playing time. Sporting KC moved Graham Zusi to right outside back this season. Zusi has largely excelled in his new role, and Saad Abdul-Salaam is his top backup.

That left Julião without a viable spot on the roster. In his only 2017 appearance, Sporting KC lost 2-0 in Minnesota. Julião was removed from the game at halftime.

This story was originally published June 28, 2017 at 8:49 PM with the headline "Sporting KC waives defender Igor Julião."