Brazilian buy

Ronaldinho completes move to Barcelona

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- World Cup winner Ronaldinho passed his medical exam at FC Barcelona Sunday, completing his euro30 million (US$33.8 million) transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

"Ronaldinho passed all the tests satisfactorily, with a good attitude, and he is in excellent physical condition," Barcelona team doctor Jordi Ardevol said, according to the FC Barcelona Web site.

The 23-year-old Brazilian signed a five-year contract Saturday after Barcelona reached agreement with Paris Saint-Germain to pay a euro25 million (US$28 million) transfer fee and up to another euro5 million (US$5.6 million) depending on the team's performance.

The signing ends a bidding war between Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid, and gives the struggling Catalan team the kind of high-profile player that President Joan Laporta promised when he campaigned for his new job.

Laporta had tried to land David Beckham, but the Manchester United star ultimately signed with Real Madrid.

Ronaldinho, whose real name is Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, becomes the latest in a list of illustrious Brazilians to play at Barcelona -- Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

The deal is the latest in a series of summer acquisitions designed to rescue a team that flirted with relegation last season.

Laporta also signed Turkish goalkeeper Rustu Recber, Mexico's Rafael Marquez and Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma.

Ronaldinho would have been happy to join United -- agent

LONDON (Reuters) -- Ronaldinho would have been happy to join Manchester United if the English champion had managed to agree a transfer fee with Paris St Germain, the player's brother and agent Roberto Assis told Reuters Sunday.

United had been better placed to sign the Brazilian but it failed to do a deal with French club PSG, leaving the way clear for Barca to clinch the signing for a fee of between 25 million euros (US$28.03 million) and 30 million euros (US$33.63 million).

"As Manchester United and PSG were not coming close to an agreement, the situation was becoming increasingly complicated," Assis told Reuters in a telephone interview from London.

"It was not because of lack of desire by the player. We have a great affection and respect for Manchester and, for sure, the possibility of going to Manchester is, and has always been, a rare opportunity in the career of any player.

"With great affection and respect, we have only to thank the club for their interest in buying Ronaldinho. It is a proof that his work has been recognised but, unfortunately, the negotiations did not come to an end.

"I said (to Manchester United's people) that if they could sort out the situation with the club (PSG) they would not have any problems with us but this agreement never materialised."

Assis confirmed that the deal signed two years ago when Ronaldinho joined PSG from his Brazilian club Gremio gave him the opportunity to leave.

"That was the initial project -- to stay for two seasons," Assis explained. "Since the contract was signed, there was always a window to let him go."

Despite the attraction of United, Barcelona was not a second choice for Ronaldinho, Assis said.

The Catalans will not be in the Champions League next term after only finishing sixth in the Spanish first division, but Assis said Ronaldinho was keen to follow in the footsteps of a trio of Brazilians to have triumphed at the Nou Camp.

"Although Barcelona are not in the Champions League because of different problems, they are still a club with 110,000 members, a club of great expression in the world of soccer," Assis said.

"Barca has always been a breeding ground for Brazilian players. They are the club where the three Brazilian world players of the year -- Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Romario -- all had this recognition while wearing Barcelona's shirt.

"Barcelona were always in our plans."

Ronaldinho is the latest top-drawer player to move to Spain, following David Beckham's move from United to join the likes of Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.

"You have to think about everything when you choose a club," Assis said when asked about the appeal of Spain.

"For us, a club of great prestige, the climate, a good contract -- all of these are favorable factors. They also play attacking football."

Barcelona history attracted Ronaldinho

MADRID (Reuters) -- Ronaldinho's decision to move from Paris St Germain to Barcelona was prompted by the Spanish club's rich history of playing host to great players.

The likes of Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and Brazilians Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo have all triumphed at Barca and Ronaldinho, who was also wanted by Manchester United and Real Madrid, is now anxious to make his own mark.

"Many of the players who have passed through here are part of the history of football," Ronaldinho said in an interview with Barcelona's Web site.

"I chose Barcelona because it has everything a player could wish for or need. It's a great club."

Barcelona has been steadily declining on the field for the past three seasons and the Catalan club will be in the UEFA Cup next term after finishing the Spanish first division campaign in sixth and missing out on a Champions League spot.

Ronaldinho is satisfied with the quality in the Barcelona squad, though, and anxious to start work under the club's new Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard.

"I was always a Rijkaard fan during his time as a player," Ronaldinho said. "Now I've got the chance to work with him and I'll try to help the team as best I can."

"There are a lot of top quality players here and I feel privileged to be part of the Barcelona squad."

 

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