Ronaldinho has signed a contract with Barcelona

Barcelona fought off competition from Manchester United and Real Madrid for the 23-year-old, who was an influential figure in Brazil’s World Cup triumph last year.

"We were always clear that Ronaldinho wanted to come to Barcelona and that’s why we worked so hard to sign him," Barca vice-president Sandro Rosell told reporters at the Nou Camp.

In a hectic round of negotiations, Barcelona agreed a fee with Paris St Germain before inviting Roberto Assis, the player’s agent and brother, for talks at the club.

Ronaldinho later arrived by plane from Brazil to sign the contract agreed by his brother and the deal was finally closed late on Saturday.

"The negotiations went well," said Rosell. "The need to translate all the documents slowed things down."

Rosell, a former Nike executive, enjoys a close relationship with Ronaldinho and the vice-president went to meet the player at the airport, escorting him through the crowds.

Ronaldinho becomes the fifth signing of the Laporta era. The new president has already captured Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber, Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia, Mexican centre-back Rafael Marquez and Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma.