Kaka Joins Real Madrid in Blockbuster Transfer Deal

67.5 million euros (94 million U.S. dollars).

This is how much Real Madrid has agreed to pay AC Milan for the rights to star Brazilian midfielder Kaka, 27.

The bidding for Kaka, who was born Ricardo Izecson Santos Leite and is nicknamed “White Pele,” has ended after Real officially announced his signing yesterday.

AC Milan’s mega sale of its star player seeks to help the Italian team’s troubled finances. Real Madrid, however, has begun a second “galactico” campaign to recruit the world’s best players, starting with Kaka.

Soccer transfers often make headlines in summer, when a flurry of European stars switch teams. A player’s transfer cost is calculated based on his annual salary, signing bonus, and his future value.

Kaka’s transfer cost is the second richest in the sport’s history in euros, trailing the 75 million euros (64.5 million dollars) Real paid to Juventus in 2001 for Zinedine Zidane. If calculated in dollars and pounds, however, Kaka’s transfer price trumps Zidane’s.

Third place goes to Luis Figo, who transferred to Real in 2000 for 61 million euros, and fourth to Hernan Crespo, who went to Lazio of Italy for 53.6 million euros the same year.

Kaka has heated up this year’s transfer market, but Cristiano Ronaldo could break the Brazilian’s mark this summer. Real has made no secret of its desire to sign the Portuguese star, and experts predict Ronaldo will command a transfer fee of at least 80 million euro (113 million dollars).

niceshin@donga.com