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Sept 7 - Sept 14,2003 |
Milan's latest Brazilian star is set to shine
Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite joins the European Champions for 9.5 million euro transfer fee
By Merdad Masoudi
Originally Published: 2003-08-31
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Milan\'s Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite, aka Kaką
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Back on January 31, 2002 Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite made his debut for Brazil. If you think his full name might be difficult to recall, don't worry he's also known as Kaka. And as he has just signed with European champions "AC Milan" you are sure to hear the name again and again.
Former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was impressed, and took Kaka with him to the World Cup Finals. Brazil midfielder completed his move to AC Milan last week, signing a four-year contract with the European champions.
Kaka joins Milan from Brazilian club Sao Paulo where he established himself as one of the brightest young talents in South America.
The attacking midfielder, who Milan said cost them a 9.5-million euro transfer fee, featured in last Saturday's friendly against Romania's National Bucharest and he was available for selection for the European Super Cup against Porto in Monte Carlo. Kaka joins a large Brazilian contingent at Milan including World Cup captain Cafu, former Barcelona striker Rivaldo, defender Roque Junior, winger Serginho and goalkeeper Dida.
"I map my career by defining goals. That's how I plan things. I planned to get to the World Cup finals, planned to be a professional with Sao Paolo, and I plan to be a World Champion again in the future," said Kaka. "My other goal was to play my club soccer in Europe. That's what I was aiming and fighting for."
The 21-year-old was part of the Brazil squad that won the World Cup last year. He is also captain of the under-23 side that will feature in next year's Olympic Games.
In 146 games with Sao Paulo he scored 58 goals and has four goals from his nine appearances for the full Brazilian national side, including both in the recent 2-0 win over Colombia in the Concacaf Gold Cup.
"Rivaldo is a personal friend and I spoke to him and the other four about the club and they all told me great things about Milan and said it was the best team to come and play in Italy for," Kaka told a news conference at the club's training centre.
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