ROME - Brazil's 2007 world footballer of the year Kaka completed his transfer from Serie A side AC Milan to Real Madrid late on Monday, both clubs announced.
ROME - Brazil's 2007 world footballer of the year Kaka completed his transfer from Serie A side AC Milan to Real Madrid late on Monday, both clubs announced.
The 27-year-old signed a six-year contract with the Spanish giants for a reported fee of about R737million which both clubs declined to confirm.
If that is the figure it would be the second biggest ever transfer - after that of French great Zinedine Zidane, who cost Real Madrid about R850million in 2001.
"I wanted to stay (at Milan) but the world crisis affected my decision. I knew I'd only leave Milan to play for Real," the player said.
Real chairperson Florentino Perez has established war chest of about R2,2billion for players, vowing to create a "spectacular team" capable of overtaking arch-rivals Barcelona - who won the title, Champions League and Spanish Cup in coach Pep Guardiola's first season in charge - next season.
Perez oversaw the era of the "Galacticos" when he was in charge at Real between 2000 and 2006, when world stars such as Zidane, England's David Beckham and Brazil's Ronaldo were attracted to the club.
Kaka has been at AC Milan since arriving from Sao Paolo in 2003, scoring 70 goals in Serie A and 23 in the Champions League.
He has won the 2007 Champions League with them, the 2004 league title, two European Super Cups and the world club championship in 2007.
Kaka's official unveiling in Madrid is unlikely to take place until the end of the month because after today's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Recife he will travel with the squad to South Africa for the Confederations Cup which starts on Sunday. - Sapa-AFP
Kaka gets Real deal at Madrid
ROME - Brazil's 2007 world footballer of the year Kaka completed his transfer from Serie A side AC Milan to Real Madrid late on Monday, both clubs announced.
ROME - Brazil's 2007 world footballer of the year Kaka completed his transfer from Serie A side AC Milan to Real Madrid late on Monday, both clubs announced.
The 27-year-old signed a six-year contract with the Spanish giants for a reported fee of about R737million which both clubs declined to confirm.
If that is the figure it would be the second biggest ever transfer - after that of French great Zinedine Zidane, who cost Real Madrid about R850million in 2001.
"I wanted to stay (at Milan) but the world crisis affected my decision. I knew I'd only leave Milan to play for Real," the player said.
Real chairperson Florentino Perez has established war chest of about R2,2billion for players, vowing to create a "spectacular team" capable of overtaking arch-rivals Barcelona - who won the title, Champions League and Spanish Cup in coach Pep Guardiola's first season in charge - next season.
Perez oversaw the era of the "Galacticos" when he was in charge at Real between 2000 and 2006, when world stars such as Zidane, England's David Beckham and Brazil's Ronaldo were attracted to the club.
Kaka has been at AC Milan since arriving from Sao Paolo in 2003, scoring 70 goals in Serie A and 23 in the Champions League.
He has won the 2007 Champions League with them, the 2004 league title, two European Super Cups and the world club championship in 2007.
Kaka's official unveiling in Madrid is unlikely to take place until the end of the month because after today's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Recife he will travel with the squad to South Africa for the Confederations Cup which starts on Sunday. - Sapa-AFP