AC Milan player Ricardo Kaka’ of Brazil shows the team’s jersey from a balcony of the team headquarters, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept. 2, 2013. Kaka agreed to contract terms with AC Milan on deadline day 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. (AP)
MILAN — Dozens of delirious AC Milan supporters took to the streets of the city late Monday to herald the return of Brazilian midfielder Kaka following his arrival from Real Madrid.
Kaka was one of Real’s most expensive signings in 2009 when the club paid Milan 65 million euros for him after a highly-successful six-season spell with the Rossoneri.
After being left on the sidelines under Jose Mourinho, Kaka’s chances of more regular first team action at the Santiago Bernabeu faded further when his former coach at Milan, Carlo Ancelotti, took over the ‘Galacticos’ for the new season.
With Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup, Kaka launched a plea to leave Real and the Spaniards allowed the 31-year-old to return to his former club on a free transfer.
Kaka was met by dozens of fans upon his arrival at Milan-Linate airport on Monday, a scene that was repeated when he met club vice-president Adriano Galliani late on Monday.
At the Giannino restaurant, a favorite haunt of AC Milan and its players, were dozens of fans noisily convened to celebrate Kaka’s arrival.
The player sipped champagne and was presented with a cake adorned with the words “Some love affairs never end.”
Kaka, who has signed a two-year contract, was delighted to be back.
“I really wanted to come here and now I’m back I am so happy. I’ve returned home!” said the Brazilian, who took a significant pay cut to facilitate his move to the San Siro.
Kaka’s first spell at the Rossoneri, from 2003 to 2009, coincided with his rise to prominence that culminated in him winning the 2007 Ballon d’Or after leading Milan to the Champions League title that year.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri on Friday said: “He’s versatile, and his technical attributes would be a big plus to the team.”
Although brought in as a replacement for playmaker Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was sold to Schalke 04 last week, it remains to be seen how Allegri slots Kaka into his system.
Kaka began his previous spell at Milan playing just behind striker Andriy Shevchenko, but went on to occupy the main striker’s role as well as variously changing position in Ancelotti’s preferred 4-3-1-2 system.
Allegri usually deploys a 4-3-3 formation with Mario Balotelli in the central striker’s role flanked by, for example, Robinho and Stephan El Shaarawy.
Asked if he had already spoken tactics with Allegri, Kaka replied: “It’s been such a frenetic few days that we haven’t had time to talk about anything.
“I’ve not even heard from the president, Silvio Berlusconi. But I know the whole club wanted me here. For me, that’s enough.
“We’ll do wonderful things together.”