RONALDINHO put a year of troubles behind him yesterday when he breezed into AC Milan's training ground to be greeted by around 4,000 screaming fans.
Barcelona agreed late on Tuesday to sell the Brazil forward for an initial fee of 21 million (£26.4million) following two days of talks with Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani, who had been chasing the 28-year-old for three months. Milan beat of
f competition from Manchester City, who had offered substantially more money.
"I am very happy, after so much time I am here. I am really pleased to come to Milan and I hope I will be able to give a lot of happiness to everybody," said Ronaldinho. "I really wanted to come to Milan. I'm very happy to find many Brazilians here but also many champions who wear the Milan jersey."
He was even happier when Milan confirmed he will be allowed to go to the Olympic Games to play for Brazil, who meet Belgium in their opening match on 7 August. Barca had blocked his call-up before selling him and Milan stopped compatriot Kaka from going, but they felt it was only right to let their new recruit head to China.
"We respect the commitment he took before coming to Milan," said Galliani. "If he had already been a Rossoneri, he would not have gone, but he will become ours during the week so we will let him go to the Olympics."
Ronaldinho will have a medical and sign a three-year deal in the next couple of days before being presented to the media.
The formalities were due to be completed yesterday, when the squad gathered for the first day of pre-season, but the hordes of Milan fans at the airport and the Milanello training ground meant there was a delay.
The Brazilian could barely have expected the fanfare that welcomed him following a difficult last season at the Nou Camp where he suffered form and fitness problems.
Rossoneri supporters hope the Fifa World Player of the Year for 2004 and 2005 can reignite their fortunes after suffering a nightmare season of their own.
Milan lost their Champions League crown after falling to Arsenal in the last 16, then finished fifth in Serie A and only qualified for the Uefa Cup next season. Galliani said the 2002 World Cup winner's arrival would be the last at Milan during this transfer window, ending their interest in Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor and Chelsea pair Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko.
Meanwhile, Alexander Hleb has completed his move from Arsenal to Barcelona after signing a four-year contract with the Catalan giants. After spending yesterday undergoing various medical tests, the Belarus international sealed his switch last night. The 27-year-old midfielder will cost Barca an initial £12million, rising to £13.5million depending on the club's success during Hleb's spell. The buy-out clause in the player's contract with Barca has been set at £71million.
The full article contains 507 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
