Ronaldinho said yesterday that his decision to turn his back on Manchester United and instead move from Paris St-Germain to Barcelona was prompted by the Catalan club's rich tradition of having great players on its books.

Football icons such as Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and the Brazilians Romario, Ronaldo and Rivaldo have all excelled there and Ronaldinho, whose signature has been heavily in demand since last year's World Cup, is anxious to do likewise.

"Many of the players who have passed through here are part of the history of football," he said. "I chose Barcelona because it has everything a player could wish for or need. It's a great club."

Ronaldinho signed a five-year contract late on Saturday and passed a medical yesterday.

Barcelona have been in steady decline on the field for the past three seasons and will have to play in the UEFA Cup next season. Their new signing insists he is satisfied with the quality in the current squad, however, and is eager to start work under the club's new Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard.

"I was always a Rijkaard fan during his time as a player," said Ronaldinho. "Now I've got the chance to work with him and I'll try to help the team as best I can. There are a lot of top quality players here and I feel privileged to be part of the Barcelona squad."