Manchester City forward Robinho has returned to Santos on a six-month loan. City confirmed in a statement on their website that the Brazilian club will pay all of the player's wages and bonuses for the period, which begins immediately and ends on August 4.
Manager Roberto Mancini said: "Robinho is someone who needs to be playing regularly and we wish him well for the period of his loan."
The 26-year-old joined City from Real Madrid in the summer of 2008 for a British record transfer fee of £32.5million, the club's first big signing under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.
The Brazil forward has struggled to hold down a first-team place, first under Mark Hughes and latterly under new boss Mancini.
Robinho has made no secret in recent days of his desire to return to his old club as he seeks to consolidate his place in the Brazil side ahead of this summer's World Cup.
Click here for more Manchester City news and gossip