Real Madrid have signed the Brazilian midfielder Kaka from Milan, the La Liga club confirmed today. The 27-year-old international has agreed a six-year contract to become the first player to join Real since Florentino Pérez returned to the presidency this month.

Reports said the transfer fee was around €65m. Pérez has vowed to recreate the policy of signing the world's best in his second spell in charge – he brought Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and David Beckham to the Bernabéu in his first term – and snaring the Brazil playmaker is another statement of intent.

The official unveiling in Madrid is likely to take place at the end of the month, after the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Milan 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.

"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."

theguardian