Ronaldinho Signs with AC Milan for £16m

Milan has a deal in place to sign Ronaldinho from Barcelona for £16m pending a medical. The deal was made possible by the player taking a pay cut, according to Italian sources.

“AC Milan and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ronaldinho to the Rossoneri,” read the statement.

“The player will be in Milan tomorrow to undergo a medical and sign the contract that will tie him to the club until June 30, 2011.”

It was confirmed that the Brazilian will leave Barcelona at 11:00 local time on Wednesday morning on the same flight as General Manager Adriano Galliani who had a power lunch with Laporta this afternoon.

Barcelona, on their own website, announced the financial details of the move, valued at £16m plus another £3m in bonuses based on whether Milan qualifies for the Champions League.

General Secretary Txiki Beguiristain added that the deal was only made possible because Ronaldinho agreed to give up 15 percent of his cut in the transfer.

The offer was substantially lower than Manchester City’s £25.5m bid, but Ronaldinho’s desire to join Milan has been evident for many months.

He now goes to bolster an already strong Brazilian contingent at San Siro alongside Kaka and Alexandre Pato for an all-Selecao front three.

“Tomorrow, Ronaldinho will undergo a medical and, if he passes, he will become a Milan player,” grinned Galliani on Sky Italia.

The official was on his way to a restaurant in Barcelona with President Joan Laporta, agent Roberto De Assis, FIFA go-between Ernesto Bronzetti and of course Ronaldinho himself to celebrate the deal.

Alby Jnr