Ronaldinho changes club in Brazil

SAO PAULO — Ronaldinho signed with Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro on Monday, less than a week after leaving Flamengo and suing his former team for unpaid wages.

Atletico Mineiro said it reached a deal with the former two-time FIFA player of the year until the end of 2012. The announcement was made just hours after television images showed Ronaldinho practicing with Atletico players in the city of Belo Horizonte earlier in the day.

"I returned to Brazil to win titles and now I'm having a new opportunity," the 32-year-old Ronaldinho said at a news conference. "I'm arriving at the club to give my best and to try to help Atletico win titles. I'm motivated and focused on doing my best. I feel like I still have many good years left in my career."

Atletico Mineiro is a traditional club in Brazil but has not won any significant titles since the 1997 Conmebol Cup.

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NPB opts for rookie award changes

Experienced foreign players will be considered for the rookie of the year award in both the Central and Pacific Leagues starting this season, NPB decided on Monday.

Players from overseas with professional experience were previously not eligible for the award. Eligibility will now be subject to a case-by-case review by NPB's executive committee and the board of each league.

On Monday, the Yomiuri Giants sought rookie eligibility for their Venezuelan closer Levi Romero, who has seven saves this season.

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