Ronaldinho completes move to Milan

Brazilian forward Ronaldinho arrived at his new club A.C. Milan on Wednesday afternoon to a hero's welcome from a group of fans waiting to greet him at the club gates.

Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho waves to
fans as he leaves the Milanello training
centre after his medical in Carnago, 
northern Milan. Ronaldinho on Wednesday
said he was delighted to have completed
his 18.5 million euros move from Barcelona.
(AFP/Giuseppe Cacace) 

Ronaldinho is expected to undergo a medical test later in the afternoon before signing a deal with the club until June 2011. He is expected to be officially presented in the next couple of days. His transfer has taken three months of bargaining and will initially cost 21 million euros, much less than Premier League club Manchester City had bid.

Carlo Ancelotti, AC Milan coach said "Ronaldinho will give his qualities to the team. He's a great talent and he deserves the chance to show his abilities at his best so he'll play in his natural role as the other players will do, even if for a well-balanced team everybody has to sacrifice for the team."

AC Milan to sign Ronaldinho for $39.7 mln

AC Milan have announced that they have reached an agreement with FC Barcelona for the transfer of Ronaldinho to the Rossoneri's club. Ronaldinho will arrive in Milan on Wednesday for a medical exam and sign a contract through June 2011.

Soccer player Ronaldinho from Brazil (C), Sport Director of
AC Milan Adriano Galliani (L) and President of FC Barcelona
Joan Laporta are seen after a meeting in Barcelona, Spain, 
Wednesday, July 16, 2008. 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.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Manchester City had also bid for the 28-year-old Brazilian, but media reports have said Milan have won the race despite offering just 18.5 million euros, almost half as much as the Premier League club.

Milan will play in the UEFA Cup this season after finishing fifth in Serie A last term. They have been chasing Ronaldinho for three months and the player has consistently said a move to the San Siro was appealing. He has spent five years at the Nou Camp, helping Barca win the Champions League in 2006 and their domestic title in 2005 and 2006.

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