Kaka joins Madrid to help Milan

Brazil star Kaka has revealed he has joined Real Madrid in order to help AC Milan to overcome their financial difficulties.

Brazil star Kaka has revealed he has joined Real Madrid in order to help AC Milan to overcome their financial difficulties.

The Italian side confirmed the sale of Kaka to Real in an expected world-record transfer late last night, before Madrid also announced the move on their own website.

Reports have suggested Kaka, who was also earlier linked with Chelsea, has signed for around 68 million euros (£59million) - which, if true, would smash the world record fee of £46.7million paid by Real to Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.

He had the opportunity to join Manchester City in January this year in a deal reported to be worth £100million, but opted to stay in Italy.

At a press conference in Recife, where the player is currently on international duty ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Paraguay later today, Kaka revealed he rejected the move to England as he did not want to leave Milan mid-season.

"I can officially say I'm a Real Madrid player. My professional link with AC Milan finishes now, but my sentimental link will never end," he said.

"Real Madrid intend to build a great team, with historic players such as Raul and Casillas. We will make history again, both in Spain and Europe. I guess the sport project is very good.

"Manchester City and Real Madrid are two different clubs with different situations. At that time (January), it was mid-season, I had a strong emotional impact due to the Italian fans requesting me to stay, and I decided to stay.

"Now another chance came up and AC Milan is in a big crisis (financially). For me, the sporting project (at Madrid) is interesting and will be an important boost to continue my career in the highest level."

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"I wanted to stay on at Milan, but the world (financial) crisis affected a lot of clubs, especially those like Milan which are businesses," he continued.

"So then, I spoke with the Milan directors and we reached the conclusion that the best thing for everybody would be to sell."

Kaka also revealed that new Real president Florentino Perez has been busy "making contact" with potential targets as he looks to revive his 'Galacticos' project.

In Perez's previous stint with the club, he oversaw the acquisitions of global stars of Luis Figo, Ronaldo and David Beckham, as well as Zidane.

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, David Villa and Franck Ribery have also been linked to the Spanish capital club since Perez's unopposed election signalled the return of their vast spending.

"The president (Perez) is already making contact (with potential signings) and is putting together a competitive team, one which will try to once again become champions in Spain and Europe. That`s why I chose Madrid.

"They have historic players there already, such as Raul or (Iker) Casillas. Real Madrid will be an important challenge for me. We`re going to win many titles again."

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Kaka also admitted he had received plenty of advice on the move from former Real player and Perez signing Beckham, who spent a short spell at Milan on loan earlier this year.

He also revealed that although the deal was only announced last night, it had been in the pipeline for some time.

"I spoke to some friends, like Beckham, who has already played for Real. He said it's a fantastic place to play. I spoke to him this past week and he kept helping me, he said I made a positive choice for my career's growth," Kaka revealed.

"I wanted this move to be announced sooner. For me it`s a relief that it has been announced now, although I have always be 100% focussed on the national side.

"I`ve been weighing up the offer from Real Madrid a lot. It`s an important project for me to continue growing in my career. I`m not going to Real Madrid for money, as I had other offers. But I knew I would only leave Milan to play for Real Madrid.

"Only small details were missing, such as the medical exams I passed this morning. The deal was sealed long time ago".

He also said he hoped to put an end to Barcelona's dominance of Spanish and European football, after the Merengues' arch-rivals swept all before them this season en route to claiming Spain`s first league, cup and Champions League treble.

"This will be a tough season at Real Madrid, after all that Messi conquered with Barcelona," he said.

"They're the big favourites and deservedly so. I hope Barcelona's hegemony will end in the coming years. Real Madrid will build a great team to win titles again, as it's the club's history"

Meanwhile he revealed he fell uncomfortable taking on the number five jersey once worn by Zinedine Zidane.

Perez had admitted he would like to see the Brazilian playmaker take on the shirt, but Kaka said he would not feel comfortable doing so.

He said: "Wearing the number five would be a great responsibility. Zidane was a great player, both for Real Madrid and for France, and I wouldn't like to wear the same number as he did.

"We`re going to wait a bit before deciding which one to use."

And finally he had words of gratitude to Milan for launching his career in Europe, while he was also elusive about whether he would end his career in Madrid.

"I will be 33 years old by the time the (Madrid) contract ends, with the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 still to come. Lots of things will happen," he said.

"I'm not thinking today in ending my career at 33. I expect to write history there and sign a new contract, who knows, until 35. May be I`ll retire then."

He added: "I want to thank Milan, as they were the club who put me on the international scene. They gave me the opportunity to become a big name in Europe.

"I`m happy to leave Milan by the front door, with a lot of friends. It has been very emotional to see what the Milan fans have done for me."

Berbatov vows to stay a Red

Despite not making the impact many Manchester United fans expected, Dimitar Berbatov has no intention of quitting United this summer.

The Bulgarian was left out of Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line-up for a series of key games at the end of last season, including the Champions League final and failed to have any impact when he was introduced as a substitute against Barcelona.

This follows the strikers club record £30.75million arrival from Tottenham last summer.

It led to increased speculation Ferguson might look to cut his losses on Berbatov and accept, like Juan Sebastian Veron, the player's economical style was not in keeping with the rest of United's make-up.

However, Berbatov intends to remain a Red Devil, with his agent Emil Dantchev confirming his commitment to the Old Trafford cause.

"Despite speculation that he may leave, I want to declare that Dimitar will play at Manchester United next season," Dantchev told Dnevnik.

"There is no desire from the management for any separation.

"He will stay and we hope that he will win what he missed out on this year."

If Berbatov is set to stay, it looks increasingly likely Carlos Tevez will be leaving, quite possibly for Manchester City.

United chief executive David Gill was intending to have one final go at talking the Tevez camp into accepting their offer for a player, whose two-year loan has come to an end amid much disgruntlement from the Argentina star, who has been frustrated at a perceived lack of appearances.

However, speculation today suggests Tevez had opted to join City, who have already signed Gareth Barry for £12million, although there has been no confirmation from any party.

Kaka crowned world's finest

Brazilian forward Kaka has opted to cut his ties with AC Milan and join the second coming of the 'galacticos'.

After six years at the San Siro, the 27-year-old has joined Real Madrid in what is likely to be another exciting chapter in his career.

Returning Madrid president Florentino Perez has vowed to recreate the policy of signing the world's best in his second spell in charge - he brought the likes of Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham to the Bernabeu in his first term - and snaring the Brazil playmaker is another statement of intent.

The 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year will bring his mix of pace, skill and clinical finishing to the Spanish capital to help the club bridge the gap to arch-rivals Barcelona, who last season claimed an unprecedented treble of the domestic league and cup double as well as the Champions League.

Madrid were lacking in several areas last season with doggedness and determination just two.

In Kaka, they will be getting those qualities in spades, as shown by his will to return from a career-threatening back injury in a swimming-pool accident aged 18.

He went on to make a full recovery and made his full international debut under Luiz Felipe Scolari in January 2002.

As a 20-year-old he was part of the triumphant World Cup squad but played only 19 minutes in the Far East.

In June 2003, Kaka made the switch to Europe when he was snapped up by AC Milan for 8.5 million euros, and went on to help the Rossoneri win the Serie A title in his first season.

2007 was his finest year, however, with the FIFA World Player of the Year accolade the icing on the cake after Kaka firmly established himself as the finest footballer in Europe - a tag ratified when he was also crowned European player of the year.

Kaka not only came away with a Champions League winners' medal, but seemed to make it a personal quest to bring the famous trophy back to the San Siro, proving the Rossoneri's match-winner time and again.

He almost single-handedly secured the Champions League trophy for Milan, scoring 10 times to finish as the competition's leading marksman.

He bagged a solo extra-time winner against Celtic in the first knockout stage and scored three times in the semi-final against Manchester United.

Milan had started that Serie A campaign with an eight-point deduction for their part in the Italian match-fixing scandal so the Scudetto was never a realistic prospect. They ended up in fourth place.

Kaka's inspirational displays in Europe, though, ensured the Rossoneri did not have to come to terms with a third successive season without silverware.

The Italian giants endured a miserable start to the 2007/08 domestic season but they did shine on a bigger stage, claiming the FIFA Club World Cup with Kaka scoring in the 4-2 win over Boca Juniors in the final as well as winning the Player of the Tournament award.

Kaka was not just the creative hub of the team, the player who could produce a moment of genius to turn a game, but also the chief goalscorer, motivator and talisman.

He was the first person the Milan team looked to for inspiration when things were not going to plan, when they needed someone to dig them out of a hole.

Even in a team packed with star names and proven quality like Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo, Filippo Inzaghi and Gennaro Gattuso, it was the Brazilian who has assumed the mantle of responsibility.

It is exactly that kind of leadership which he will be expected to show at the Bernabeu as Perez's 'galacticos' mark II look to shine.

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."