- Title: ITALY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Ronaldhino arrives at A.C. Milan
- Date: 19th July 2008
- Summary: CAR WITH BRAZILIAN FORWARD RONALDINHO INSIDE ENTERING SUPPORTERS CHANTING RONALDINHO GREETING SUPPORTERS AND WALKING TOWARDS THEM SUPPORTERS RONALDINHO GREETING SUPPORTERS FLAGS RONALDINHO GREETING SUPPORTERS
- Embargoed: 3rd August 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Italy
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA5PMJORVN0Y5GHQST5EV00KJY4
- Story Text: Brazilian forward Ronaldhino arrived to a raptuous reception at his new club A.C. Milan but will not be officially presented for another couple of days.
Brazilian forward Ronaldhino arrived at his new club A.C. Milan on Wednesday afternoon (July 16) to a hero's welcome from a group of fans waiting to greet him at the club gates.
Ronaldhino 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 ($33 million), much less than Premier League Manchester City had bid.
"I am super happy. I have been waiting for this for one year"
said A.C. Milan fan Aldo Barilla waiting outside the club grounds.
"I am very satisfied. It's fantastic. You can't get much higher than this. Maybe if (forward Andriy) Shevchenko comes back" said another supporter Palmiro Serino.
Ronaldinho has promised to work hard at his new club after leaving Barcelona under a cloud, with form and fitness problems last term. The forward caused a row at Barcelona even in his last few days when he was told he would not be able to represent Brazil at the Olympics.
Milan have blocked compatriot Kaka from attending but media reports on Wednesday said part of Ronaldinho's deal with the Rossoneri was to allow him to go to Beijing next month.
Beating off City to sign the 28-year-old has been seen as a coup in Italy given that Serie A has slipped behind the Spanish and English leagues in recent seasons.
Money is also tighter than usual at the San Siro this season with Carlo Ancelotti's side only in the UEFA Cup, so no further signings are expected. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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