Ronaldinho

MILAN, Italy (AP):

AC MILAN are counting on a swift return to the top level of European football, now that Ronaldinho has joined Kaka and Alexandre Pato in an all-Brazilian attack that any club would envy.

Milan announced late on Tuesday that they had finalised a deal to sign Ronaldinho from FC Barcelona, ending several days of negotiations.

"It's true. I really wanted to come to Milan. A lot of things happened and at the end I became Rossonero (red-black)," Ronaldinho told Milan's TV station. "I'm happy to be here and I hope I can provide a lot of joy to Milan's fans.

Finding so many Brazilian

"It's great to find so many Brazilians, and also so many other champions wearing the Milan jersey."

Milan finished a disappointing fifth in Serie A last season and were eliminated by Arsenal in the second round of the Champions League. This season, Milan will play in the second-tier UEFA Cup.

"With him, with Kaka, and all the other champions, we must try to have a good season for our fans," Pato said yesterday. "We've got to do more than we did last season and help Milan return to the Champions League."

The Rossoneri won the Champions League in 2003 and 2007, and lost the 2005 final to Liverpool.

"We've improved on every front. We have multiple options and formations we can play with. Our offence is a good mix of skill, experience and youth," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

"Ronaldinho brings a lot of enthusiasm and enthusiasm is just the ingredient we need to start the season well. A few years ago he was considered the best player in the world. Here at Milan he'll find the right environment to get back to that level."

Barcelona said AC Milan will pay €21 million (US$33.6 million) for Ronaldinho and an additional €4 million (US$6.4 million) if the Italian club clinches a place in the 2009-10 Champions League.

The transfer amount was considerably less than the €32 million that Barcelona said Manchester City had offered.

AC Milan owner and Italian Premier, Silvio Berlusconi, said "Ronaldinho cost a lot of money but he is worth it" and that he signed him "for the love of the fans", Italian news agency Apcom reported.