Kaka agreed to contract terms with AC Milan to highlight deadline day in Italy and reportedly accepted cutting his salary by more than half to rejoin his former club.
Following a free transfer from Real Madrid on Sunday, Milan announced on its website that the club reached a deal with the 2007 FIFA world player of the year early Monday.
Financial terms were not disclosed but the Gazzetta dello Sport reported that it’s a two-year deal worth €4 million ($5.3 million) per season plus bonuses - a significant drop from the €10 million ($13.2 million) Kaka earned with Madrid.
“Kaka made a big (sacrifice) to return here, showing a lot of affection for our shirt,” Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani said.The 31-year-old Kaka wants to play for Brazil at next year’s World Cup in his home country and should feature more at Milan.
“Milan is ideal for me,” Kaka told Milan Channel. “I always find great champions here. Before there was Pippo Inzaghi now there’s (Mario) Balotelli. I hope to experience great joys with Mario.
“I really want to play,” Kaka added. “This is a special year for me because the World Cup is coming up but now I’ve got to do well with Milan. I was very sorry to leave but now it’s even more special to come back.”
With few other moves, Kaka’s transfer was the highlight of deadline day in Italy. Although there was speculation surrounding three forwards, with Fabio Quagliarella of Juventus, Alberto Gilardino of Genoa and Marco Borriello of Roma each reportedly considering transfers.
Netherlands calls up Sneijder for Estonia match
AMSTERDAM: Netherlands coach louis van Gaal has changed course and summoned midfielder Wesley Sneijder for the team’s upcoming World Cup qualification matches against Estonia and Andorra. Van Gaal had previously said that Sneijder, currently with Turkish club Galatasaray, was not in form. But the Netherlands Royal Football Association said Monday that Van Gaal had summoned Sneijder after all, as PSV Eindhoven’s Georgino Wijnaldum is suffering from ankle problems and was scrapped from the 21-man squad. The Netherlands plays Estonia in Tallinn on Sept. 6 and Andorra on Sept. 10.