Milan star Pato agrees Corinthians move

AC Milan's Brazil international striker Alexandre Pato agreed a four-year deal with world club champions Corinthians on Thursday, the Brazilian side confirmed on their website.

"In the coming days, Pato, who will wear the number seven shirt, will undergo a medical and then sign a four-year contract," said a club statement with the deal believed to be worth 15 million euros.

The 23-year-old Pato joined Milan from Brazil's Internacional in 2007 and played 117 times for the Italian giants.

But his time in Serie A has been hampered by a series of fitness problems -- last season, he played just 11 times and has only seven games under his belt in the current campaign.

During his career, Pato has won the 2006 Club World Cup and 2007 Copa Sudamericana with Internacional before claiming an Italian championship and Italian Super Cup with Milan.

With the Brazil national team, he won the 2009 Confederations Cup and collected an Olympic bronze medal in Beijing in 2008 and silver in London last year.

Despite boasting a strike force of Paolo Guerrero, Emerson, Romarinho, Martinez and Jorge Henrique, Corinthians coach Tite said last week that there was a place in the squad for the injury-plagued Pato.

"Would I want to sign Alexandre Pato? Sure, like most coaches in the world," he said.

Corinthians' fans may have to wait to see Pato in action as he will typically arrive in Brazil carrying a muscle injury.

"At the beginning, there's a possibility that the problem will prevent an immediate start," said club physiotherapist, Bruno Mazziotti.