Ronaldinho to sign for AC Milan

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-16  |     ONLINE EDITION

Soccer player Ronaldinho, from Brazil, center, Sport Director of AC Milan Adriano Galliani, left, and President of FC Barcelona Joan Laporta are seen after a meeting in Barcelona, Spain, today. Ronaldinho transferred from FC Barcelona to AC Milan, the Italian club announced late Tuesday, ending several days of furious negotiations in which the Brazil play maker appeared eager to avoid a move to Manchester City. More in photo gallery

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BARCELONA'S Brazilian forward Ronaldinho will sign for AC Milan today, the Italian club has said.

"AC Milan and Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle over the transfer of Ronaldinho," Milan said in a statement on their website (www.acmilan.com) yesterday.

"The player will be in Milan tomorrow to undergo a medical and sign a contract that will keep him at Milan until June 30 2011."

The Serie A side, who finished fifth last season and will be in the UEFA Cup this term, beat off competition from English Premier League club Manchester City for the 28-year-old.

Ronaldinho spent five years at the Nou Camp, helping Barca win the Champions League in 2006 and their domestic title in 2005 and 2006.

The Brazil playmaker was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005 but has been allowed to leave Barcelona after suffering form and fitness problems last season.

His arrival at Milan seems to spell the end of their pursuit of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor with chief executive Adriano Galliani having consistently said only one of the two would come to the San Siro.

Coincidentally, Adebayor has been linked with Barca in the media.

IMMEDIATE ROW

Barcelona confirmed the deal on their website (www.fcbarcelona.com) saying that the agreement was for 21 million euros (US$33.5 million), plus another four dependent on Milan's qualification for the Champions League in the coming seasons.

The figures were less than the 32 million Premier League Manchester City were reported to have bid.

Ronaldinho's wish to go to Milan rather Manchester was the deciding factor.

Barca sports director Txiki Begiristain told reporters: "The player has ended up where he wanted to. He wanted to play for Milan."

He added that the player had relinquished 15 percent of his fee to ensure the deal went ahead.