Transfer Timeline: How Kaka Moved From Milan To Madrid... From Brazil

On Monday evening, local time, Kaka completed one of the most monumental transfers in history by moving from AC Milan to Real Madrid.

Some will view this as the end of a saga that began with the election to Madrid presidency of Ramon Calderon back in 2006. But the immediate move to bring the Brazilian to the Bernabeu began with the triumphant return of Florentino Perez to the capital.

With that in mind, let's look back at what resulted in the second most expensive transfer of all time...

SATURDAY MAY 16

Kaka's agent states that there is as yet no agreement with Real Madrid, countering speculation linking him with a move to the Blancos.

SUNDAY MAY 17

Reports emerge stating that Real Madrid president-in-waiting Florentino Perez won't spend more than €60m on Kaka.

MONDAY MAY 18

Real Madrid, smelling blood, begin to pounce. Guti says in a press conference that players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and of course Kaka would be ideal summer signings.

WEDNESDAY MAY 20

Silvio Berlusconi of AC Milan admits that he may need to sell Kaka.

SATURDAY MAY 23

A report out of Italy states that Madrid may in fact spend up to €80m on Kaka.

THURSDAY MAY 28

After days of speculation, the Spanish media state that Kaka could be a Real Madrid player as early as 'next week'.

But back in Italy, Adriano Galliani, the Milan CEO, and Kaka himself began to downplay rumours. "Kaka will stay at Milan," said Galliani. Kaka himself was slightly less emphatic, adding, "I've always said that I love it in Milan."

FRIDAY MAY 29

Real Madrid's intentions are abundantly clear as Perez says that he will approach Milan about the midfielder.

SUNDAY MAY 31

A day after stating that Zinedine Zidane was great value for Madrid at €73m, Perez is drawn into transfer fever as reports indicate that Milan and Madrid have reached an agreement of €60m, with Kaka himself to earn €9.1m per annum.

TUESDAY JUNE 2

Perez emerges once again to say that Real Madrid have not signed Kaka. Yet.

And then the fun really begins.

On a mammoth day for transfer news, Kaka kicks things off by stating that he doesn't want to leave Milan. Hours later, the Spanish press report that his agent and Adriano Galliani have arrived in Madrid to discuss a possible transfer. His spokesman then confirms that Real Madrid have made an offer.

The press in Spain quickly ascertain that Kaka has agreed in principle to become a Real Madrid player. The Italian media fall into line an hour later.

But then a late Chelsea bid - or at least reports of one - threaten to derail matters.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 3

Undeterred, the global media prepares to declare Kaka a Real Madrid player. Reports in both Spain and Italy indicate that a deal's going ahead; Sid Lowe, a renowned British journalist operating out of Madrid, throws his weight behind the rumours, stating that it's a done deal.

Back in Milan, Gennaro Gattuso tells a press conference that the move would see Milan 'lose a champion'. Rossoneri fans, unwilling to lose such a champion, begin to protest in the city.

Chelsea angrily deny making a bid for Kaka, meaning that it is - and always was - a one-horse race for the Brazilian.

THURSDAY JUNE 4

Perez starts the day by stating that he is working hard to bring Kaka to Madrid, as if we didn't know. Adriano Galliani, acknowledging that Kaka will leave, states the economic reasons for his departure - and also that of others both from his club and others in Serie A.

Over in Rome, Zinedine Zidane teases the press amidst constant questioning that Kaka has joined Madrid. "You tell me," he said. And they did.

FRIDAY JUNE 5

Players from Madrid and indeed across Spain begin to acknowledge Kaka's move as a done deal, Iker Casillas and Sevilla's Luis Fabiano among them. AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi denies that it's a definite matter.

SATURDAY JUNE 6

According to a report, Kaka signs a Real Madrid shirt for a fan in Uruguay, where he is preparing to play for the Brazilian national side. (In the event, an impressive Kaka wins and scores a penalty in the Selecao's 4-0 mauling of their hosts in Montevideo.)

A bold Florentino Perez states that Kaka was born to play for Real Madrid.

SUNDAY JUNE 7

Fabio Cannavaro, departing Madrid for Juventus, says that Kaka will feel at home at a 'fantastic' club. Silvio Berlusconi looks to turn back the tide by saying that a move is uncertain. But a Madrid doctor is already en route to conduct a medical on Kaka, who is back in Brazil after that Uruguay win...

MONDAY JUNE 8

A rollercoaster of a day.

In the early morning, AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi announces that he would personally like to keep Kaka, but circumstances have intervened.

Soon afterwards, Italian press sources state that the transfer will be announced around midnight, European time.

Later, Kaka is brought to the medical facility of the Brazilian national team in the city of Recife for a 9am medical with the Madrid doctor.

To dispel any doubt, the Brazilian Football Federation confirm that Kaka has undergone medical checks with Real Madrid club staff.

Inevitably, reports emerge stating that Kaka has passed his medical. Meanwhile the Brazilian press gears up to confirm the transfer.

By late night European time, matters were confirmed. Both Real Madrid, and seconds later AC Milan, confirm the deal on their official websites, this coming minutes after Florentino Perez told Spanish radio that the move was going ahead.

TUESDAY JUNE 9

Those Madrid fans who stayed awake long enough to hear Kaka's first words to the club - as he spoke from Brazil, where it was still mid-evening - may not have been too heartened. He said, "My desire was to stay at Milan, but the world crisis has affected clubs a great deal... I spoke with the Milan board and we concluded that the best thing for everyone would be if I was sold."

He went on to downplay his chances of inheriting the No. 5 shirt from Zinedine Zidane and Fabio Cannavaro.

Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com

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