Milan - AC Milan was abuzz on Wednesday as Brazilian football star Ronaldinho was set to sign a three-year contract at the famed Italian club.

The Milan website said that almost 5,000 fans had gathered at the club's training centre to see the latest Rossoneri superstar arrive. The club also sold thousands of season tickets over the past hours.

There was speculation that Milan owner, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, would personally welcome the Brazilian.

Ronaldinho, 28, was due to sign a three-year contract later in the day after the mandatory medical checkup.

Milan announced late Tuesday the finalization of the deal with Barca, who no longer wanted the playmaker sidelined due to injuries and poor fitness since March.

The transfer fee was estimated at up to 25 million euros (40 million dollars) and his Milan salary at 6.5 million euros per year.

At Milan, Ronaldinho joins compatriots Alexandre Pato and Kaka and can expect a warm welcome.

"I'm happy about the arrival of Ronaldinho," said Pato.

Italy's Massimo Oddo said: "He's an important player who does not need to prove anything to anyone and here at Milan he could be helpful since he joins a squad which is already competitive."

"Ronaldinho motivates us even more," said coach Carlo Ancelotti.

That is needed as the club aims to rebound from a disappointing fifth-place finish last season which denies it playing in the next Champions League.

Milan won in 2003 and 2007 for a total six trophies in the elite event, and were finalists in 2005.

The two-time World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho led Barcelona to the 2006 Champions League crown and was a 2002 World Cup champion with Brazil.

Milan appear unconcerned that Ronaldinho played below par in the last year and mainly made headlines through his nightlife activities.

"A few years ago he was considered the best player in the world. Here at Milan he'll find the right environment to get back to that level," insisted Ancelotti.

Ronaldinho will get more motivation out of the fact that Milan will allow him to play for Brazil at next month's Beijing Olympics before starting in earnest in Italy.

The newspapers were already euphoric, with La Gazzetta dello Sport saying: "Ronaldinho: Miracle in Milan."

In Spain, they at least paid tribute to Ronaldinho after five years at Barca where he was no longer wanted.

Barca spoke of "five unforgettable years" on the same day it was set to sign his possible replacement Alexander Hleb. The Sport paper said "goodbye to the magic" but also mentioned "the end of a soap opera." (dpa)