Kaka arrives at Real Madrid

Madrid: Real Madrid have signed Brazilian midfielder Kaka from AC Milan in a near record transfer fee of around 68 million euros ($94.05 million). This makes it the second costliest transfer ever after Zinedine Zidane joined Real from Juventus for around 73 million euros in 2001.

The Spanish Primera Liga club side announced on their website that the 27-year-old international has agreed to a six-year contract.

The signing becomes the first one for Real ever since Florentino Perez returned to the presidency of the club side this month.

Kaka, who is turning out for his country Brazil in a World Cup qualifier against Paraguay on Monday said he was leaving the Italians on good terms.

"Everything I've always done for Milan has been by mutual agreement, from the moment I arrived until my departure today," he said. "I'm leaving by the front door."

"I've won everything that I wanted as a player and this is a new motivation for me."

"I'm sure Real Madrid will build a competitive team which can start winning titles again."

AC Milan, in turn, thanked Kaka for his contribution.

"AC Milan thanks the man Kaka and the champion Kaka for his decisive contributions to so many victories obtained in the last six years," the Serie A club said in a statement.

"His loss on the field, though serious, can be filled. It will, however, be very difficult to fill the void left by Kaka the man."

Kaka has been a long time target for Real Madrid ever since former president Ramon Calderon promised to sign him in his election campaign in 2006. He however failed to deliver on his promise, which led to frequent taunts from fans who would chant ''Where is Kaka?'' at player presentations.  

Calderon resigned in January allowing Perez to return to the presidency three years after he stood down. Perez has now promised to deliver a "spectacular sporting project" built around the world's greatest players. This has led to media speculation that a second 'Galactico era' may well be ushered in at Bernabeu with a 300 million euro war chest. The earlier Galacticos had included the likes of Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane and David Beckham.

Perez has mentioned his interest in Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo, Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso and Valencia duo David Villa and David Silva.

If the new Galacticos do land up then it will be coach Manuel Pellegrini's task to blend their talents and take on triple crown winners Barcelona.

For the moment, Kaka has arrived.