New AC Milan signing Ronaldinho on Wednesday said he was delighted to have completed his move from Barcelona.
The Brazilian was rushed from Milan's Malpensa airport to meet his new teammates ahead of the start of their pre-season training and he told Milan Channel that the transfer had been a long time coming.
"I am very happy, after a long time I'm here. I'm very happy to have arrived at Milan and I hope to bring a lot of joy to everybody. I can confirm I desperately wanted Milan. Many things have happened, but in the end I am a Rossonero.
"I'm happy to be here and I repeat, I hope to make the Milan crowd joyful," said the world champion.
The 2004 and 2005 World Player of the Year will be in familiar company at San Siro alongside four fellow Brazilians, including 2007 World Player of the Year Kaka and teen prodigy Alexandre Pato.
However, he is well aware that it is not just the boys from Brazil who provide the team with world-class elements.
"It's great to find a lot of Brazilians, but also the many stars who wear the Milan shirt. I'm happy about everything."
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani confirmed that Ronaldinho would be free to take his place amongst his country's Olympic Games squad in Beijing.
"We respect the commitment he made prior to his transfer to Milan. If he had already been our player he wouldn't have gone."
Coach Carlo Ancelotti feels that it will be a good opportunity for the 28 year-old to build on his fitness so that he is ready to slot into the team upon his return just before the start of the Serie A season on August 31.
"(It will be) a chance for him to hone his condition. When he comes back he will be ready and there will only be a little bit of time needed for him to fit into the formation," Galliani said.
He added the Brazilian would signal the end of their summer spending that has included buying Italy defender Gianluca Zambrotta and French midfielder Mathieu Flamini.
"Milan's transfer campaign is finished with Ronaldinho. (Alberto) Paloschi, (Ignazio) Abate and (Dario) Simic might leave, but there will be no more new arrivals."
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