AC Milan will allow Ronaldinho to play for Brazil at the Olympics next month after he was included by his nation as an overage player.The Rossoneri are expected to complete a 21 million euro deal to sign the playmaker from Barcelona later on Wednesday but club vice president Adriano Galliani has already confirmed Ronaldinho's debut for Milan will be delayed as the player will be allowed to travel to Beijing.

Ronaldinho was included in Brazil's squad for the tournament as an overage player and had been in a dispute with Barcelona over his desire to play in China. But his new employers do not want to get off on the wrong foot with their new star signing.

"We respect the obligation that he took on before he came to Milan," Galliani said. "If he had already been a Rossonero, we would not have let him go, but as he is joining us later we will let him go to the Olympics."

Ronaldinho struggled for form and fitness and times last season, and his new coach Carlo Ancelotti put a positive spin on allowing the 28-year-old to play for his country.

"It is a chance for him to find his fitness," Ancelotti said. "When he comes back he will be ready. He will only need to learn his place in our system."

Ronaldinho was in Milan on Wednesday afternoon to complete his deal, which is subject to a medical currently being undertaken by the player.

After a protracted transfer process in which he also considered an offer from Manchester City, he apologised to Milan fans for making them wait, and then insisted he is ready to give his all for his new club.

Ronaldinho has always professed his desire to join the Rossoneri and he proved this when he renounced his right to 15 per cent of the transfer fee in order to complete a move to the San Siro.

"I am sorry if I made you wait," he told Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. "But the facts have shown that I always wanted Milan.

"It's not the moment to talk about Barcelona because I want to enjoy this new page in my life.

"I will only say that to Milan I promise a lot of effort, not only my technical skills."

Ronaldinho joins fellow Brazilians Kaka, Dida, Emerson and Alexandre Pato at the Serie A giants.

And Kaka was delighted at the arrival of his compatriot.

"I'm very happy with the arrival of Ronaldinho, who brings a lot of talent and quality to Milan and who will put us in a position to fight for titles," he said in a press statement.

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