SANTA CRUZ: FIFA player of the year Ronaldo, considered the highest-paid footballer in the world, signed a five-year contract with Internazionale of Milan on Friday. The announcement was made by Ronaldo's representative, Alexandre Martins, and the representative of Internazionale, Luis Suarez, who arrived in this city Thursday evening to finalise the agreement.

Details of the agreement will not be revealed until July 1 in Milan when the Internazionale makes the official presentation of the 20-year-old forward. Suarez, however, confirmed that his team had paid $ 32 million to the Spanish Federation (RFEF) to transfer Ronaldo to Inter. The much-anticipated signing took place just hours after one of Ronaldo's lawyers handed over a $ 27.5 million cheque to the RFEF to free the striker from his contract with Barcelona.

Auction of Perry's belongings a hit

LONDON: Telephone bids flooded in from around the world as an auction of mementoes belonging to tennis legend Fred Perry raised 300,000 Pounds --twice the proceeds expected.

A trophy received by Britain's most successful tennis player for winning Wimbledon in 1934 and one for winning the US title three times both fetched 36,700 Pounds.

The racquet he used to win his first Wimbledon title was also sold for 23,000 Pounds to a private collector. It had been expected to fetch just 1,500. The Christie's auction house was packed with about 300 people and a spokeswoman said: ``It was very exciting and you could hear a pin drop when the renshaw cups were sold.''

Christie wins his 8th European title

MUNICH: Former Olympic and world champion Linford Christie bowed out of the European Cup 100 metres event with his eighth win in the competition from eight starts here Saturday. The 37-year-old Christie led from start to finish to win in 10.04 -- the same time he ran in Nuremberg nine days ago against Donovan Bailey, his successor at both Olympic and world titles.

Christie, who has said this is definitely his final bow in a British jersey, came home ahead of Norwegian Geir Moen. The Englishman then took a lap of honour to a standing ovation.

Uruguay coach sacked after defeat

MONTEVIDEO: The Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) fired national coach Juan Ahuntchain after the holders' exit from the Copa America in the group phase. Uruguay, already struggling in their world cup qualifying campaign and unlikely to qualify for next year's finals in France, beat Venezuela but crashed out after losing to both Peru and Bolivia.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.