RIVALDO SIGNS UP BRAZILIAN TEAM-MATE

RIVALDO appears to be making plans for life after football with the news of his acquisition of Juninho Pernambucano's contract, as the Brazilian ace makes the first steps to becoming an agent.

The pair were good friends in their home country and Rivaldo wanted to help Juninho in his attempts to move to Europe.

Juninho, formerly of Vasco da Gama, refused to renew his contract with the club and talked over his predicament with Rivaldo, when the two were together for Brazil's shock 1-0 loss to Ecuador in the World Cup qualifiers.

The result was the Barca ace buying the rights to his friend's registration.

Juninho's agent Claudio Guadagno said: "Rivaldo is a big friend of Juninho and he'll help him to come in Europe."