Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo has joined Saudi club Al Ittihad on a six-month contract, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reported on Sunday.

Al Ittihad president Mansour Al-Balawi announced the signing of the 31-year-old forward, freed from his contract with European champions AC Milan last month, at a news conference on Saturday, the AFC said on its website.

Also Read Rivaldo voted the worst player Rivaldo to leave AC Milan

Rivaldo, who helped Brazil win the World Cup for the fifth time in 2002, will earn around $3 million, according to the AFC.

Brazilian champions Cruzeiro, as well as Portuguese club Porto and Spartak Moscow of Russia, have all been linked with the 1999 FIFA World Player of the Year.

The AFC quoted Al-Balawi as saying Rivaldo will arrive in Saudi Arabia on January 12.

Rivaldo, who has kept his place in the Brazil team despite being surplus to requirements at AC Milan, has been a free agent after a troubled year in Italy.