Robinho gets fresh start at AC Milan

Brazilian star Robinho signed for Serie A giants AC Milan on Tuesday on a four-year contract for 18million euros from English Premier League side Manchester City where he had an unhappy two year spell.

“We paid 18million euros plus bonuses,” said club director Adriano Galliani.

The 26-year-old was a shock signing two years ago by City for 32.5million pounds but fell out of favour soon after Roberto Mancini took over as manager last season.

He was loaned out to Brazilian side Santos last January, but the Brazilian club were unable to come up with the money to make it a permanent transfer.

“I am really happy to be here,” said Robinho, who won two league titles while at Real Madrid prior to his move to Manchester City where he scored 14 goals in 41 appearances for the English side.

“I am delighted to have been given this opportunity and I want to prove my worth.

“My ambition is to play well and to help Milan regain the scudetto (the title),” added Robinho, who was a much sought after target of Milan president Silvio Berlusconi.

Robinho, who had an impressive World Cup finals scoring twice as Brazil exited in the quarter-finals at the hands of the Netherlands, is the second big name signing by Milan in the last few days after taking Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one year loan from Barcelona with the option to make it a permanent move at the end of that spell for 24million euros.

Robinho, who starred for Brazil in their 2007 Copa America victory topscoring with six goals, will add to what Ibrahimovic had already described as ‘on paper the best strikeforce in the world’ with Brazilian duo Ronaldinho and Pato already there.

Milan have spent big as they launch a concerted effort to halt bitter city rivals Inter’s recent domination which climaxed with the domestic double – taking their fifth successive league crown – and the Champions League title last season.

Robinho’s arrival saw the already unhappy 28-year-old striker Marco Borriello gain himself a move to AS Roma after sporting director Daniele Prade came to Milan for talks with the player, who had slammed the decision to bring Ibrahimovic to the club.

No details of the transfer were revealed for Borriello – scorer of five goals in his 10 international appearances – who found the net 14 times last season.

Also leaving the club was veteran Georgian international defender Kakha Kaladze, as the 31-year-old ended his 10 year spell in Milan by joining Serie A rivals Genoa.