Soccer-Cafu said family reasons behind Milan move
( 2003-06-10 10:38 ) (7 )

Brazil's World Cup captain Cafu said that family reasons were behind his decision to join European champions AC Milan rather than accepting an offer to play in Japan.

"I talked to my family and we preferred to stay in Italy," said the 33-year-old right-back, who was a free agent after leaving AS Roma at the end of this season.

Cafu, the only player to have played in three World Cup finals, had been expected to join Japanese club Yokohama Marinos before Milan's announcement on Monday they had agreed terms on a deal which would run until June 2005.

The player said he was looking forward to returning to Yokohama, scene of Brazil's World Cup final win over Germany last year, where Milan will face the eventual South American champions in December for the World Club championship.

"I've already had success there with Brazil and I hope to have some more with Milan," he said.

Cafu joined Roma from Brazilian club Palmeiras in 1997 and was a part of the side who won the Italian title in 2001.