AC Milan is 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 on Tuesday that it had finalized a deal to sign Ronaldinho from FC Barcelona, ending several days of negotiations.
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Ronaldinho arrived in Milan Wednesday?morning.?He was to undergo a medical exam and sign a contract through June 2011. (Photo: Sina.com) |
"I am sorry for the wait but the facts show that I have always wanted Milan," Ronaldinho told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"This is not the moment to talk about Barcelona because I want to enjoy this new chapter of my life. I will only say that at Milan I promise commitment, not only on my technique."
Ronaldinho was due to be introduced later yesterday, with Milan president and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi said to be considering welcoming him personally.
"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."
Milan finished a disappointing fifth in Serie A last season and was eliminated by Arsenal in the second round of the Champions League. Milan will play in the second-tier UEFA Cup.
The Rossoneri won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007.
Barcelona said AC Milan will pay 21 million euros (US$33.6 million) for Ronaldinho and an additional 4 million euros (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 euros that Barcelona said Manchester City had offered.
"Ronaldinho: Miracle in Milan," read the headline in the Milan-based Gazzetta dello Sport, which reported that Milan will pay Ronaldinho 6.5 million euros per season.
Ronaldinho was to undergo a medical exam and sign a contract through June 2011.
Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said Ronaldinho's arrival made Milan "a team competitive on every front."
"There's going to be a lot of talk over this next few days about how the Milan of the future will be," Ancelotti told the club's TV channel. "There's a lot of material and we can really do well. The club made a big sacrifice and got great players like Ronaldinho, (Gianluca) Zambrotta and (Marco) Borriello. The club should be applauded."
Milan signed Zambrotta from Barcelona, midfielder Mathieu Flamini from Arsenal and regained Borriello, who scored 19 goals while on loan to Genoa last season.
Ronaldinho scored 91 goals in 200 appearances in five seasons at Barcelona, and helped the club to consecutive Spanish league titles in 2005 and 2006, and the Champions League trophy in 2006.
"Five unforgettable years. Many thanks," Barcelona said on its Website yesterday.
Barcelona daily Sport splashed "Ciao, ciao Ronnie" across its front page before adding "Goodbye to the magic."
About 30,000 fans greeted Ronaldinho's arrival at Camp Nou from PSG in 2003.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily July 17, 2008)