Soccer-Brazil striker Ronaldo joins AC Milan

ROME, Jan 30 (Reuters) AC Milan have signed Brazil striker Ronaldo from Real Madrid, the Serie A side announced today.

The 30-year-old striker, three-times FIFA World Player of the Year, has signed an 18-month contract until June 30, 2008 for an undisclosed fee.

Ronaldo signed the deal in Madrid and was due to fly to Milan in the early evening.

Real coach Fabio Capello, talking to Italian regional TV station Tele Lombardia in Madrid, said: ''I know that Ronaldo has signed for Milan. I wish him the best of luck in doing what he used to do which is being a great player.'' The move ends more than two weeks of negotiations between the clubs for the Brazilian, whose contract with Real was due to expire at the end of next season.

Ronaldo, who inspired Brazil to World Cup victory in 2002 in Asia and holds the record for goals scored in World Cup tournaments with 15, scored 104 goals for Real since joining them in August 2002.

He was the club's leading scorer in each of his four previous seasons in Spain but had limited opportunities to shine following knee surgery after the World Cup last year with coach Fabio Capello preferring Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy up front.

The Brazilian had been angling to leave Real since Capello criticised him as being overweight and said he was no longer in his plans.

Ronaldo, who played for Milan's city rivals Inter between 1997 and 2002, has been a long-time target for Milan who were reported to have made a bid of between 15 and 18 million euros (23.32 million dollar) for the striker in the close season.

REUTERS SP BD2149