Paris Saint-Germain have won the race to sign Ronaldinho, the latest Brazilian prodigy.

The Brazilian international striker signed from Gremio for £5m on a five-year contract, commnecing from the 2001/2002 season.

The 20-year-old had been targetted by Lazio, Barcelona and Milan, but opted instead for first-team football in the French capital.

Ronaldinho, formally Ronaldo de Assis Moreira, came to global prominence after his displays in the Copa America in 1999, at which he finished the competition's top scorer with six goals, and during last year's Olympic Games in Sydney.

Gremio stunned

He was also successful with Brazil's world title-winning under-17 side in 1997 in Egypt. According to some observers, Ronaldinho will follow in the footsteps of revered compatriots Garrincha and Didi.

However, his erstwhile Brazilian club Gremio claim to have only heard about the deal on PSG's website.

Stunned Gremio president Guerreiro told Brazilian radio: "I've just heard the news after reading PSG's website. We are in the middle of negotiations with FIFA (the sport's world governing body) to renew Ronaldinho's contract and PSG have never contacted us."

Another Brazilian striker Christian may be moving from PSG, to help found the Paris club's efforts to sign AWOL Newcastle defender Didier Domi.

Christian has been linked to a £5m move to Olympique Lyonnais.

Reports in France suggest that Newcastle have already acccepted a £4m bid from the ambitious French club.