OFFICIAL: KAKA JOINS REAL Monday 8 June, 2009
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It is now official – Milan star Kaka has agreed a move to Real Madrid, breaking the world transfer record for a reported £60m.
One of the transfer sagas of the summer has come to an end after the player penned a six-year contract. Real also held the previous record, paying £45.6m for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.
“From next season Kaka will play for Real Madrid,” read an official statement that appeared on the Milan website at 23.30 UK time on Monday night.
“AC Milan thank the man and the great champion for his decisive contribution to the many victories earned in six years of Rossoneri effort.
“The technical loss, albeit grave, can be overcome. It will however be very difficult to fill the void left by the man Kaka, a great example of hard work and professionalism.
“AC Milan, interpreting the voices of the directors, players and supporters, send him the most cordial and affectionate best wishes for the future of his sporting career.”
Real Madrid sent their doctor out to perform a medical on the player in the Selecao training camp, where Kaka is staying for World Cup qualifiers.
The Ballon d’Or winner had turned down a move to Manchester United said to be worth £100m in January, but was convinced by Real Madrid.
Milan confirmed they needed to sell their main star to balance the books after losing £60m this season.
Kaka made his debut for the Rossoneri in a 2-0 win away to Ancona on September 1 2003, after transferring from San Paolo for around £5m.
With Milan he has won a Scudetto, Champions League, European Super Cup, Italian Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup along with the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Another statement on the official Milan website this evening was more lyrical in nature and paid tribute to his career at San Siro.
“Distance does not matter. Milan, the Milanisti and Ricky will always hold each other by the hand, keeping an eye on the others’ results.
“Today it went well, but what have Milan done? Kaka will ask that question and so will we. Did Ricky score? Is it going alright, Ricky?
“The children, who are Kaka’s biggest fans, should know that it does not end today. The smiles, the achievements and the phrases remain. These will be memories indelible in the Rossoneri minds, chiselled in large letters into the history of this club.
“At the same time, Kaka will always step on to the field with a piece of Milan upon him. The teachings, the style, the shows of affection from Milan and its people will never leave Kaka, regardless of the colour of his jersey.
“The Milan fans had marked April 22 on their calendars as an important date, the day they must remember to wish Kaka a happy birthday (and on April 22 2004, his first birthday celebrated in Milan, the club had sent him a gigantic cake fresh from the top quality patisserie).
“They had adopted the little Luca Leite, dedicated to Ricky the deepest corners of their hearts and throats. All of this will remain, quite aside from the sentimentally treacherous waters that football and the people who perform it with inimitable success for 23 years will traverse.
“In 110 years of history, which Milan will celebrate in December, the six years with Ricky will always be embraced.”
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