ATHENS // The former Brazil striker Rivaldo has left AEK Athens to join Uzbekistan side Bunyodkor, after the two sides agreed on a transfer fee for the former World Player of the Year. "AEK has now agreed to release Rivaldo from his contract following the payment of a transfer fee," a club spokesman confirmed today. "AEK would like to thank him for his contribution last season and wish him well in his future career."
Rivaldo, who stunned AEK with his decision to leave after just one season, said this week he had received an offer from Bunyodkor he could not turn down. "It was a difficult decision to make but I have received an offer that is very good for my career," he told a Greek radio station on Tuesday. Rivaldo, who was a member of the Brazil side that won the World Cup in 2002, came to Greece in the summer of 2004, spending three seasons at Olympiakos before moving to AEK.
*Reuters
