- Title: ITALY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER: Ronaldinho officially presented at new club A.C. Milan
- Date: 18th July 2008
- Summary: FANS AT SAN SIRO RONALDINHO ENTERING STADIUM AND WAVING AT FANS FANS HOLDING BANNER READING: 'WELCOME RONALDHINO' RONALDINHO WAVING AT FANS FANS SHOUTING RONALDINHO GREETING YOUNGSTERS ON PITCH IN STADIUM FANS SHOUTING RONALDINHO PLAYING WITH FOOTBALL FANS SHOUTING
- Embargoed: 2nd August 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Italy
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA41NZOH9QTB0KGY6BKA9Q9HAXF
- Story Text: Ronaldinho was officially presented to media and fans at his new club A.C. Milan on Thursday evening (July 17).
Ronaldinho's arrival at AC Milan has led to a huge surge in season ticket sales and hits on the club's official website.
"It's a special moment for my career all players hope to play for a club like Milan with its history, it's a special emotion to arrive here and wear this shirt it is a victory for me and I hope to give excitement and enjoyment to the city of Milan' Ronaldinho said at a news conference before greeting his fans.
He also said that he was happy he would be going to play for Brazil at the olympics in Beijing but stressed it would not interfere with his performance for the club.
"I will go and I am sure it won't disturb my game with Milan at all. I know all the players in Milan well and I just need to find my feet and do what the coach tells me' he said.
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. But much play was made of the deal as Milan President Adriano Galliano signed the contract along with Ronaldhino infront of journalists.
The Brazil forward, who has signed from Barcelona, was greeted by shouts and cheers from thousands of fans who were let into the San Siro stadium to meet the Milan's new player at a special party.
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 last term.
Milan lost their Champions League crown after falling to Arsenal in the last 16 and then finished fifth in Serie A and only qualified for the UEFA Cup this season.
The club's official website (www.acmilan.com) reported that it had received more than 10 times the average daily volume of visitors since news of the 28-year-old's transfer.
On Wednesday, when Ronaldinho arrived in Milan, fans snapped up 5,230 season tickets out of a total of 18,518 sold during the whole of the close-season subscription period. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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