Ronaldinho, Milan reach agreement

Brazilian star Ronaldinho will continue his football career in his home country, ending rumours of a switch to Blackburn Rovers.

With Ronaldinho unhappy at AC Milan, the Rovers launched an audacious bid to land the attacking midfielder, with the club’s new owners, The Venky’s Group, keen on signing the 30-year-old.

But the talk has been proved to be fanciful at best, with Ronaldinho announcing on Thursday he was returning home to continue his playing career.

“We have signed an agreement with Milan, and today I am free to continue my life here in Brazil,” Ronaldinho told reporters.

The contract of the former Milan and Barcelona star does not run out until June, but AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani, who was in Rio de Janeiro at the press conference, confirmed a deal had been agreed ‘in principle’ to allow Ronaldinho to play out of Italy.

“I want to make it clear that Milan has not ended the contract with Ronaldinho,” Galliani said.

“Ronaldinho has a full agreement with Milan. We will see what is the best decision for him.”

The Brazilian paid tribute to the club after his two-and-a-half year stint saw him boast a scoring average of almost one in every three games.

“The time I spent playing in Milan was wonderful. I felt part of Milan’s family and I will continue to feel that,” he said.

While Ronaldinho is expected to return to his first club, Gremio, his agent and brother Roberto de Assis said of his future: “(it)will be defined over the week, and we will evaluate offers from the clubs.”

“We have a contract with Milan, but there is an agreement giving us the freedom to negotiate with Brazilian clubs,” de Assis said.

An announcement on Ronaldinho’s future is expected later this week.