Rio de Janeiro: World Cup winner Rivaldo has ended speculation about his future by joining Brazilian champions Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro said on their official website on Monday that the former Deportivo La Coruna, Barcelona and AC Milan striker had signed a one-year contract which brings him home after seven years in European club football.

The Foxes, who are based in Brazil’s city of Belo Horizonte, said a local pharmaceutical company was helping to sponsor the signing of the 31-tyear-old who spent most of the last 18 months warming the substitutes’ bench at AC Milan.

Rivaldo’s signing is a tremendous boost for Brazilian domestic football which has become used to seeing nearly all of its top players depart for wealthier European clubs.

Brazilian media said the deal was settled at a meeting on Sunday involving Cruzeiro coach Wanderlei Luxemburgo, president Alvimar Perrela and Rivaldo’s agent Carlos Arini.

The former Fifa World Player of the Year, who at the weekend was linked with a move to Saudi club Al Ittihad, had been a free agent since last month. (Reuters)