Barça break bank for Ronaldinho

Press show
The Brazilian forward completed the formalities of his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain FC when he passed a medical yesterday, and he will be presented to the press and the club's supporters at the Camp Nou stadium this evening.

Record buy
Barcelona have said they will pay the French club an initial €25m, rising to €30m subject to appearances and other tie-ins. Ronaldinho, who signed a five-year contract on Saturday, becomes the Catalan side's record buy.

'A great club'
"It is a great club through which many legendary players have passed," he said. "I am very happy to have the chance to be part of this team and to be in this lovely city, and I am going to do all I can to give the fans something to smile about."

'True worth'
Barcelona president Joan Laporta had no complaints about the transfer fee, saying: "The price reflects his true worth. Barça are a buying club with an enormous capacity to make money. We've made the effort of offering €25m with an additional €5m in incentives."

World Cup winner
Ronaldinho was a key member of Brazil's 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning squad. Barcelona are expected to hand him the No10 shirt worn by Juan Román Riquelme last season. The former Grêmio Foot-Ball PA player scored 17 goals in 55 league appearances during his two seasons in French football.

Fifth signing
He becomes Barcelona's fifth summer signing, following the arrivals of Turkish international goalkeeper Rüstü Reçber, Spanish midfield player Luis García, Mexican central defender Rafael Márquez and Portuguese prodigy Ricardo Quaresma.