Rio de Janeiro, July 12 (IANS) Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year winner Ronaldinho has ended speculation about his future by signing with Brazilian club Fluminense.
On Saturday, the 35-year-old agreed to join the Rio de Janeiro outfit until the end of the 2016 season for a reported monthly wage of $200,000 plus bonuses, reported Xinhua news agency.
“Welcome, @10Ronaldinho,” Fluminense said on its official Twitter account with a photograph of the World Cup winner wearing the club’s shirt.
Ronaldinho was a free agent after terminating his contract with Mexico’s Queretaro by mutual consent in June.
Last week the former Barcelona star’s brother and agent, Roberto Assis, said the attacking midfielder had attracted interest from clubs in Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Brazil and Argentina.
“One of the biggest factors behind the decision to return to Brazil was to win a (league) title that I have never won and be a part of a club that has great players,” Ronaldinho said in a statement on Fluminense’s website.
It will be Ronaldinho’s second spell at a Rio de Janeiro club, having represented Flamengo in 2011 and 2012 before taking legal action to void his contract over alleged salary delays.