Ibrahimovic Barcelona move 'completed Monday'

BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - The transfer of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan to Barcelona is expected to be completed on Monday, Nou Camp official Txiki Begiristain said on Friday.

"There is agreement in principle between Inter and player and the documents are being prepared at the moment," he said on the Spanish club's web TV channel.

"The only thing missing is the actual transfer document which (Barcelona's) financial director and managing director are currently in Milan negotiating with Inter's representatives.

"Taking this into account, the club will do all it can to conclude the agreement quickly, and to present the player as soon as possible. It might be on Monday," he said.

Ibrahimovic has left the club's pre-season training camp in the United States and returned to his native Sweden.

He was the top scorer in Serie A last season and has been Inter's best player since joining the club in 2006 when Juventus were demoted to Serie B for match-fixing.

The complex 50 million euro deal between the Italian and Spanish clubs will also see Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o switch from Barcelona and Belarusian winger Alexander Hleb to go on a season-loan to the San Siro.

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Eto'o will sign a five-year deal worth between 10-10.5 million euros a year.

The 28-year-old Eto'o, who joined the Catalan side in 2004, has a year left in his contract with Barcelona but management at the Catalans have made it clear they have had enough of him.

He was the club's top scorer in the Spanish league last season, with 30 goals.

In Milan, meanwhile, Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola said he was on his way to Spain to continue talks with the Spanish champions.

"We haven't yet reached an agreement. Now I'm going to Barcelona and for today it's over," said Raiola after emerging from a meeting in Milan with Inter and Barca representatives.

"There are no problems but we're trying to reach the best possible solution."

KAKA TO REAL MADRID

MADRID (AFP) – Real Madrid's new 'Galactico' signing Kaka received a triumphant welcome from tens of thousands of fans as he was presented at the club's stadium on Tuesday.

"I want to write my name into the history of this club," the Brazilian midfielder told the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital.

Kaka showed off his new "number eight" shirt, which he took over from Argentinian Fernando Gago, who now takes the "number five."

The Brazilian, whose full name is Ricardo Izecson Dos Santos Leite, was signed for 65 million euros from AC Milan in early June.

Real president Florentino Perez praised Kaka as "one of the best players in the world", for his "impeccable behaviour" and as "one of the icons of our time."

The 80,000-capacity stadium appeared mostly full for the presentation, with many of the fans waving Brazilians flags.

The 27-year-old Kaka signed a six-year contract worth nine million euros a year.

He arrived in Madrid earlier on Tuesday with his father from South Africa, where he won the Confederations Cup with Brazil. He later passed a medical exam at the club.

Another of the so-called "new Galacticos" at the club, Cristiano Ronaldo, was signed from Manchester United for a world record 93 million euros, and will be presented to the supporters on July 6.

"It will be a privilege to play with Ronaldo, there will be no rivalry," Kaka told a news conference.

Perez, who returned as president of Real last month, said he wants Real "to one day be elected the best in history."

He first led Real from 2000 to 2006, when it earned the nickname "Los Galacticos", winning the Primera Liga twice and European Champions League with such stars as Zidane, Ronaldo, Luis Figo, David Beckham and Michael Owen.

Man Utd confirm Ronaldo transfer deal completed

MANCHESTER (AFP) – Manchester United on Wednesday confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo's world-record 93 million euros transfer to Real Madrid has been completed.

An "unconditional 80million pounds" fee was agreed between the clubs last month and then last Friday the Spanish giants announced that the signing of the world player of the year was official.

A statement on the Manchester United club website on Wednesday confirmed that the transfer fee had been paid.

Manager Alex Ferguson used the occasion to pay tribute to the Portuguese winger despite friction between him and the player last season as the Real transfer loomed.

"Cristiano has been a marvellous player for Manchester United. His six years at Old Trafford have seen him develop into the best footballer in the world," he said.

"His contribution has been a major factor in the club's success in that time and his talent, his ability to entertain and his infectious personality have enthralled fans the world over.

"Everyone here wishes him well in his future career."