Ronaldinho transfers to AC Milan

Updated: July 15, 2008, 6:47 PM EST 52 comments

The Italian club said late Tuesday Ronaldinho would arrive in Milan on Wednesday to get a medical exam and sign a contract through June 30, 2011.

Barcelona said that AC Milan will pay $33.4 million for Ronaldinho and another $6.3 million if it clinches a place in next season's Champions League.

A two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho has been seeking to leave Barcelona since new coach Pep Guardiola said that the star was not needed.

"(If) he can get back to being the player he was, perhaps we could have a rethink," Guardiola said last month. "But circumstances are not what they are. I want a strong dressing room in which everyone feels important. That's vital. If we don't look after these aspects, we'll be less strong. And if Ronnie felt this, he would be with us."

Ronaldinho scored 91 goals in 200 appearances in his five seasons at the Camp Nou, and helped lead Barcelona to consecutive Spanish league titles in 2005 and 2006, and the Champions League trophy in 2006.

At Milan, he will join fellow Brazilians Kaka and Alexandre Pato.

The 28-year-old, who was under contract at the Camp Nou through 2010, was coming off one of his poorest seasons with nine goals in 26 appearances. Assorted injuries ranging from a foot problem to thigh injury to knee tendinitis accompanied by concerns over his social habits meant Ronaldinho played the fewest games since first moving to Europe to play for French side Paris St-Germain in 2001.

Ronaldinho turned down Manchester United to sign with Barcelona in July 2003, shortly after David Beckham rejected Barcelona and signed with Real Madrid. Barcelona bought 2002 World Cup winner Ronaldinho for $34 million and brought winning football back to Barcelona, with his dazzling dribbles and no-look assists leading Barcelona to consecutive league titles in 2005-06 and its second European Cup in 2006.

Ronaldinho even managed to earn a standing ovation from Madrid fans after scoring for the second time in a 3-0 victory at Barca's bitter rival during the team's second title run.

But since that 2-1 Champions League victory over Arsenal at Paris, Barcelona's dip in form has mirrored that of its biggest star.