Former Real Madrid player Brazilian international Ronaldo speaks to the press in Madrid to confirm that an agreement had been reached between Real and AC Milan to allow him to move to Italy.((Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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Spanish soccer giants Real Madrid on Tuesday announced the transfer of its Brazilian star striker Ronaldo to Italian Serie A powerhouse AC Milan.

In a statement, Real Madrid thanked Ronaldo, 30, for his work, and wished him professional success with Milan and luck in his personal life.

Ronaldo was the second superstar to leave Real Madrid in less than 30 days, following former England captain David Beckham who had decided to join the U.S. club the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Milan club president, Adriano Galliani, told media that the team had paid 7.5 million euros (9.75 million U.S. dollars) for Ronaldo's contract, which runs out on June 30, 2008, and that if Milan qualifies for the Champions league, it will pay another half million (650,000 dollars).

"It is breaking my heart, but that is life," Ronaldo told media, leaving Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, after ending his contract with Madrid. "All I wanted to do at Madrid was to please the fans, the people who supported me, all my teammates and my managers."

He added that he had succeeded in pleasing all these audiences, except for one person: current Madrid manager, Italy's Fabio Capello.

Spain's sporting press said that Real Madrid's bosses had been looking for a way to get rid of Ronaldo for some time.

Editor: Donald