Brazilian football star Ronaldinho waves to his prospective supporters as he arrives at the Milanello's training centre, in Carnago, near Varese,
yesterday, for his official presentation with AC Milan. - AP
MILAN, Italy (AP)
AC Milan are counting on a swift return to the top level of European football, now that Ronaldinho has joined Kaka and Alexandre Pato in an all-Brazilian attack that any club would envy.
Milan announced late Tuesday that they had finalised a deal to sign Ronaldinho from FC Barcelona, ending several days of negotiations.
Happy to be here
"It's true. I really wanted to come to Milan. A lot of things happened and at the end I became Rossonero (red-black)," Ronaldinho told Milan's TV station. "I'm happy to be here and I hope I can provide a lot of joy to Milan's fans.
"It's great to find so many Brazilians, and also so many other champions wearing the Milan
jersey."
Milan finished a disappointing fifth in Serie A last season and was eliminated by Arsenal in the second round of the Champions League. This season, Milan will play in the second-tier UEFA Cup.
"With him, with Kaka, and all the other champions, we must try to have a good season for our fans," Pato said yesterday. "We've got to do more than we did last season and help Milan return to the Champions League."
Lost to liverpool
The Rossoneri won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007, and lost the 2005 final to Liverpool.
"We've improved on every front. We have multiple options and formations we can play with. Our offence is a good mix of skill, experience and youth," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
"Ronaldinho brings a lot of enthusiasm, and enthusiasm is just the ingredient we need to start the season well. A few years ago, he was considered the best player in the world. Here, at Milan, he'll find the right environment to get back to that level."
Barcelona said AC Milan will pay €21 million (US$33.6 million) for Ronaldinho and an additional €4 million (US$6.4 million) if the Italian club clinches a place in the 2009-10 Champions League.
The transfer amount was considerably less than the €32 million that Barcelona said Manchester City had offered.
AC Milan owner and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said "Ronaldinho cost a lot of money but he is worth it" and that he signed him "for the love of the fans", Italian news agency Apcom reported.
"Ronaldinho: Miracle in Milan," read the headline in the Milan-based Gazzetta dello Sport, which reported that Milan will pay Ronaldinho €6.5 million (US$10.4 million) per season.
Medical exam
After arriving in Milan, Ronaldinho was to undergo a medical exam and sign a contract through June 2011.
Meanwhile, Barcelona fans paid tribute to Ronaldinho yesterday.
"Despite everything, thanks Ronnie!" one fan wrote on El Mundo Deportivo's website.
Another fan suggested the club should retire Ronaldinho's No. 10 shirt "until someone else comes along that really deserves it."
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