BERLIN (AFP) - Brazilian midfielder Carlos Alberto -- Werder Bremen's most expensive signing -- has quit the Bundesliga side after less than six months to be loaned to Sao Paulo in his home country.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder will spend the rest of the season with the Brazilian side having only signed for Bremen for 8 million euros (11.5 million US dollars) last summer from Brazil's Corinthians.

Alberto played just 44 minutes of Bundesliga football for Bremen after suffering from prolonged periods of sleep deprivation and was involved in a training ground fracas with team-mate Boubacar Sanogo last November.

"We spoke to Carlo about his future at the club and we came to the conclusion this was the best solution to take," said Bremen's club manager Klaus Allofs.

Alberto says he is looking forward to regaining his form and playing regular football on loan at Sao Paulo until his Bremen contract expires on July 15.

"After my half year in Bremen and the health problems which set me back, I am looking to get fit again as quickly as possible and will get plenty of match practice in Sao Paulo," said the Brazilian.

Alberto, who has won five caps for his country, is the latest Bremen player to leave the Bundesliga club with last week's announcement German international Tim Borowski is set to join Bayern Munich in the summer.