Kaka signs for Real Madrid

AC Milan striker Kaka has signed for Spanish giants Real Madrid with both clubs confirming the move this morning.

Reports that the deal was a forgone conclusion have been circulating in Spain for a while but it has finally been confirmed by both clubs following the Brazilan superstars medical with Los Blancos earlier on Monday.

The statement from Real Madrid reads:

"Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, Kaka, is a Real Madrid player after an agreement was reached with AC Milan. The Brazilian footballer has now successfully passed all medical tests. Kaka has signed a contract with Real Madrid for the next six seasons."

Meanwhile, AC Milan's statement read:

"From next season, Kaka will play at Real Madrid. Milan thank Kaka the man and the great champion for his decisive contribution to the many victories over the last six years.

"It will be very difficult to fill the void that Kaka will leave, as he is a shining example of commitment and professionalism. A. C. Milan, on behalf of the Rossoneri managers, players and supporters, send him the most cordial and affectionate wishes for the continuation of his sporting career."

Madrid gave Kaka a medical, flying a doctor out to meet the former Sao Paulo man while he was on international duty with Brazil.

The deal was made official after the 27-year-old spoke with Milan president Silvio Berlusconi over the telephone - and Kaka becomes the worlds most expensive player with fee reportedly being around 67 million euro's.

Kaka joined Milan in 2003, winning the Ballon d'Or during his time with the club and playing a starring role in the 2004 Scudetto and 2007 Champions League triumphs.

Newly elected Real Madrid president Florentino Perez promised to bring in big names after taking over, in order to restore the club to it's former glory after their inability to challenge for Europe's top prize in recent seasons. It appears that Kaka was the first name on his list.

Capello looking at the positives

Fabio Capello was worried by England's early form against Kazakhstan but pleased that they still cruised to a 4-0 win.

Capello's men maintained their 100% in Group Six and edged closer to next year's World Cup, but they had to survive an early scare when the hosts caused chaos in Robert Green's penalty area in the first minute and later had a headed goal from Sergey Ostapenko disallowed.

The Italian, who looked furious on the touchline, said: "I was disappointed with the position on the pitch of some players."

Capello was trying to get his message across to his players, but added: "It was impossible, I tried but the crowd was too noisy."

Gareth Barry, with his first competitive goal for his country, headed the opener in before Emile Heskey added a second before the break.

Wayne Rooney added the third goal with a scissor-kick and Frank Lampard rounded off the win from the penalty spot after a foul on Heskey, whose goal earlier was his first competitive strike for England since the 2002 World Cup.

"I'm very happy," Capello said.

"At the start of the game they played well and they pressed us. We knew about this and were prepared for it.

"When you play against a team that is not at the same level, when you score a goal the other team's level goes down.

"You try to play quick, fast and press and it is impossible to play 90 minutes with the same movement.

"They scored a goal that was offside but there were no other problems for our goalkeeper and that was very important."

When asked what the outcome would have been if Ostapenko's goal stood, Capello added: "We would have won 4-1."

Arsenal winger Theo Walcott was taken off at the interval but Capello revealed it was a tactical change rather than an injury concern.

"I tried to change some positions of the pitch and the style of play," he added.

Capello looked forward to the next qualifier against Andorra at Wembley on Wednesday, and the chance of another victory.

"It would be another big step forward," Capello said. "If we win we will have 21 points and it's a lot."

Berbatov: I am a hit at United

Dimitar Berbatov insists he has impressed for Manchester United this season despite his hefty price tag.

The Bulgarian moved from Tottenham for £30.75million last September after netting 46 goals in two impressive seasons at White Hart Lane.

But following his step up to the highest level, and healthy competition for places in the United squad, Berbatov managed just 14 goals in his first season with the Premier League champions.

The 28-year-old has also come under scrutiny from United fans for his suspect attitude on the pitch, but the forward maintains all is well while also looking to next season.

"I think the season has been successful for me," he told Manchester Evening News.

"Next season we will be favourites in all competitions again. After all, United is the biggest team in the world."

The former Bayer Leverkusen star suffered his second Champions League final defeat against Barcelona last month having previously lost a final with the German outfit in 2002.

"Barcelona were the better team in Rome and won," he said. "It is very difficult to accept defeat in the most important final.

"This is my second defeat on such an occasion and I hope I will get a third chance."

Brazil legend Carlos Alberto has angrily slammed Manchester United for poaching the country's finest young talent. The 1970 World Cup-winning star is

Brazil legend Carlos Alberto has angrily slammed Manchester United for poaching the country's finest young talent.

The 1970 World Cup-winning star is outraged that United have signed Corinthians defender Dodo before the talented 17-year-old has even made a full appearance for his club, a move that Alberto claims is tantamount to the Red Devils raping Brazilian football.

"It is disgraceful United are allowed to rape Brazilian football," the former Brazil captain told the News of the World.

"The big teams have the money and can take our best players. It is a big problem in Brazil. The clubs cannot keep hold of them if they are good young players because they can make much more money in other countries.

Dodo, who is jointly owned by Corinthians and third-party investment firm Traffic Football Management. was signed for £5.4million and will join forces at Old Trafford with two other young Brazilians, namely the da Silva twins, Fabio and Rafael.

The move is set to strike football in Brazil another blow as it struggles to convince the samba nation's future stars that they should ignore the lure of a lucrative career in Europe until they are older.

In a bid to stop the exodus, Alberto is now seeking the help of FIFA.

"FIFA must do something. They have an obligation to save football. If we could have conditions where we could keep these players in Brazil it would be much better for us," he declared.

"Three or four years ago clubs had to pay teams if they wanted players but now many players are owned by agents - and clubs can't afford to keep them"

"They should change the law so at least until the age of 20 or 21 the best players are playing in Brazil and get some experience before moving to Europe."

It's Real or nowhere for Kaka

AC Milan general manager Adriano Galliani is adamant that Kaka will either sign for Real Madrid or stay at the San Siro.

With speculation rife about the future of the talented Brazil international, Milan's hierarchy are refusing to admit that Kaka will definitely be sold but have said that if the attacking midfielder was to move it would not be to Chelsea.

Madrid were thought to be first in the queue to acquire Kaka's services, although their attempts are being hampered by Chelsea's reported interest. Both clubs would have to part with a world record transfer fee to sign the 27-year-old star.

"Ricky didn't want to go to Man City (in January), instead he wanted to go to Madrid," Galliani told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"An agreement with Chelsea could not exist. Kaka goes to Real or he remains at Milan. That is his will and we are doing everything in complete agreement."

"Negotiations (with Real) do exist, but an agreement is not done.

"Kaka has behaved very professionally with us, he has never asked for his deal to be revised or his contract extended.

"He has been here six years and won everything there is to win. But we can't afford to miss out on 70million euros (£60.8m). The motivation behind Kaka's sale would be economical."

"I also want to put Milan supporters at ease. We are not reshaping," Galliani added.

"It will not be that we sell Kaka and don't sign anybody. Should Kaka leave, we will bring in a big striker."

An announcement on Kaka's transfer saga is expected on Monday.

Ribery is latest Madrid target

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed the Spanish giants are pursuing Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery.

AC Milan playmaker Kaka looks ever more likely to move to the Spanish capital and Perez confirmed yesterday he is working to bring in Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo too.

And he has now set his eyes on a third target as he looks to build a team that can challenge treble-winners Barcelona.

"I'm going to meet with my friends (Bayern president) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and (general manager) Uli Hoeness to ask them about their intentions (for Ribery)," Perez said.

"I hope to be able to count on him for this year."

Reports suggest Kaka will officially become a Madrid player early next week.

There was a fear Chelsea could swoop in for the Brazilian, but the Barclays Premier League club have denied making a bid and Perez is confident Kaka will be at the Bernabeu shortly.

He added: "I think if Kaka leaves Milan it will be to join Real. I am very optimistic."

Perez's first stint in charge was during the famous Galacticos era where Madrid shelled out for big names such as Luis Figo, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.

Since his return on Monday it has looked like Perez is planning on doing the same this time around, but he insists he is also going to focus on youth.

"I want to build a team with the best players of the world," he said. "With the best Spanish players and not forgetting the academy."

Perez to lure Ronaldo with a smile

Real Madrid's pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo will be conducted with the utmost professionalism according to Florentino Perez.

The recently installed Madrid president is in the midst of reviving the galactico era at the Bernabeu, and with the arrival of Kaka virtually guaranteed, Perez has now turned his attention to Manchester United's prized asset - just as Madrid did last summer.

However, unlike that previous transfer saga - a long and protracted tale of claims, counterclaims and downright bitterness - the Madrid supremo is adamant that things will be done the right way this time around as they attempt to secure the services of player who has a £80 million buyout clause in his United contract.

"From what I hear, there is an agreement between the player and his club," Perez told The Times newspaper.

"If one day there is a chance of him playing for Real Madrid, that would be an honour for us.

"But if I had to choose between the friendship with Manchester United and the signing of Ronaldo, I would choose the friendship.

"Plus, I have never said that Cristiano will arrive in June. That is an arrogant and false statement.

"Cristiano is, of course, a player we are interested in, he is one of the best in the world."

Not that Perez is intending to stop with Ronaldo.

Bayern Munich ace Franck Ribery, Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and Valencia favourite David Villa are also on his radar, although Perez is determined to make friends throughout all of Real's transfer negotiations over the coming weeks.

"I shall be talking with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, and their chief executive David Gill to build bridges," he said.

"If we sign Kaka from Milan, I can assure you that we will still have a very good relationship with their general manager Adriano Galliani.

"Of course, we want the best players to join us here - but only if their club wants to sell them. Ask Gill, David Dein and Roman Abramovich.

"I have an excellent relationship with them and it is essential to me that continues. I represent a club where elegance and gentlemanliness has been always our flag.

"Ronaldo or whoever will come if their club wants to sell. To force through a situation is very bad for our image. If someone has acted in that way at some point, I offer my apologies and can assure you that it will not happen again."

"I am not a betting man, but whatever happens I will still leave friends in Manchester."