05 June,2012 11:02 AM IST | | AFP
"We are happy to announce we have managed to bring Ronaldinho to Atletico," said his new club president Alexandre Kalil on the team website after netting the 32-0year-old former Barcelona and Milan star and ex-world player of the year.
Ronadinho, World Cup winner in 2002, will receive around 150,000 dollars in basic salary a season compared with nearer 600,000 at Flamengo, according to Lancenet web portal.
Pele meanwhile defended Ronaldinho amid criticism of his recent showings for "Fla".
"I think it's a little unjust - he is no longer the Ronaldinho of ten years ago but he is talented... Flamengo are not doing well and as a result neither is Ronaldinho."