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Rivaldo takes Olympiacos option

Rivaldo has signed for Olympiacos CFP on a two-year contract with the option of a further year.

'On the rise'
The Brazilian playmaker had been available on a free transfer after walking out on previous club, Cruzeiro FC, after just 50 days in March. "Greek football is on the rise, with the recent success of the Greek national team proving it," said Rivaldo, referring to Greece's success at UEFA EURO 2004™. "I want to star for Olympiacos. I want us to win the Greek league and perform very well in the [UEFA] Champions League."

Karembeu departure
Following the departure of French midfield player Christian Karembeu, Olympiacos, last season's Greek league runners-up, had been looking for a big-name signing ahead of a move to their new Karaiskaki stadium in September. And Rivaldo, whose team-mates have left for a training camp in Austria, certainly fills that criterion.

World Cup win
The 32-year-old, who helped his country win the 2002 FIFA World Cup, has enjoyed much success, particularly at FC Barcelona where he claimed Primera División titles in 1998 and 1999 - a year in which he was named both European and World Footballer of the Year. He also impressed for RC Deportivo La Coruña before a €24m switch to Camp Nou in 1997.

Milan misery
However, his time at AC Milan was not so fruitful. Following a free-transfer move to Italy after Korea/Japan, Rivaldo made 22 appearances over two seasons for the Rossoneri and was an unused substitute in their 2002/03 Champions League triumph.

Contract cancelled
He cancelled his Milan contract last November, deciding to return to Brazil, but only played eleven times for Cruzeiro before leaving the club and becoming a free agent. He has won 68 caps for his country, scoring 33 goals, but has not featured for Brazil since appearing in two 2006 World Cup qualifiers last November.

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