Milan announce Pato deal

European champions AC Milan have announced late on Thursday a deal to sign Brazilian striking sensation Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, better known as Alexandre Pato.

The 17-year-old, linked with Chelsea, Internazionale and Real Madrid, will move from FIFA Club World Champions Internacional di Porto Alegre for a reported fee of 14.5 million euros.

A statement on the on the official Milan website confirmed the deal but did not disclose the terms. It read: "The highly-talented Alexandre Pato will train with Milan and will be able to play friendly matches from September 3, 2007."

"From January 2008, he will be eligible for competitive games."

This means Pato will be ineligible until the new year due to rules forbidding Italian teams from registering non-EU players before they turn 18. Pato celebrates his birthday on 2 September by which time the transfer market and date for registering new players is closed.

Reports in the Gazzetta dello Sport says the Rossoneri have handed the player, nicknamed "The Duck", a five-year contract worth 2 million euros per season.

Source: AC Milan / La Gazzetta dello Sport