 |
 |
 |
|
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -Newly signed Manchester City striker Robinho arrived in a helicopter at Brazil's training camp on Wednesday, trying to make up for the time spent negotiating his club transfer in Europe.
A day late, Robinho joined his teammates for Brazil's preparation for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile on Sunday and Bolivia next Wednesday.
In the final minutes of the European transfer window on Monday, Robinho reached a deal to move from Spain's Real Madrid to England's Man City for a British-record fee of 32.5 million pounds (?40 million; US$58 million).
The negotiations delayed Robinho's presence with the Brazilian national team, which began practicing for next week's qualifiers on Tuesday. Robinho was expected to show up Wednesday morning, but he didn't arrive at Brazil's training camp just outside Rio de Janeiro until the afternoon.
The striker arrived from his native city of Santos in a helicopter and did not immediately talk to reporters.
Robinho was expected to participate in Brazil's second training session later in the day. The rest of the players had already participated in two practice sessions, on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning.
Brazil is only fifth in South American qualifying with nine points from six matches. Only the top four will automatically qualify for the 2010 South Africa World Cup.
Robinho is returning to the national team after missing the Olympic tournament because Real Madrid did not release him. Brazil won the bronze medal led by Ronaldinho.
Robinho publicly said he wanted to join Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea, but City, boosted by a windfall from an imminent takeover by a United Arab Emirates business group, came up with the better offer for the 24-year-old Brazil forward.
Robinho agreed to a four-year contract and will reportedly earn ?6 million (US$8.7 million) a year - about three times his salary with the Spanish champion.
