Antalyaspor President confirms Ronaldinho's arrival at the club
Antalyaspor president Gultekin Gencer says Brazil legend Ronaldinho has agreed to join Turkish side Antalyaspor, with personal terms and the deal set to be completed this week, as per reports in the Daily Mail.
The Daily Mail also reported that Vasco da Gama were on the verge of signing Ronaldinho a few days back on a six-month contract, according to club president Eurico Miranda before Antalyaspor pounced at the last moment.
Ronaldinho, 35, played for Liga MX side Queretaro during the 2014/15 season, scoring eight goals in 23 appearances for the club, helping the club to the Liga MX playoffs in the process. He, however, opted out of his two-year contract in a mutual consent with the Mexican club and was free to join any club in the world.
'We reached an agreement with Ronaldinho. I think within two days it'll be made official. Besides Eto'o and Ronaldinho, we will make another big-name signing. When it's done, we'll set the world on fire!” Gultekin told TRT Spor, according to the Daily Mail.
Regarded as one of the most skillful players of his generation, Ronaldinho started his career as a youth player with Gremio. He has since gone on to play for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan, Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Atletico Mineiro before joining Mexican side Queretaro.
At newly-promoted Turkish club Antalyaspor, the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner will link up with his former Barcelona teammate Samuel Eto'o, who signed for the club after a brief stint with Sampdoria. Eto’o had joined the Serie A side on 27th January 2015 in a two-and-a-half-year deal but played only eight matches for them.
The pair enjoyed a successful partnership together at Barcelona, winning the league and the 2005/06 Champions League under the management of Frank Rijkaard. They were also selected in the FIFPro XI by their peers at the end of that season.
Queretaro want Robinho in place of outgoing Ronaldinho
Meanwhile, Ronaldinho’s former club Queretaro are targeting Brazil striker Robinho as a replacement signing. The club’s sporting director Joaquin Beltran was quoted as saying, ”Robinho is one of the possibilities we're looking at,” as reported by ESPN.
The former Real Madrid man is with the Brazil squad at Copa America and played at his first club Santos on loan from AC Milan during the last season. He is a free agent now after mutually terminating his contract with AC Milan in May.