Roberto Carlos raring to go for Fenerbahce

Brazilian full-back Roberto Carlos on Friday formally signed with Turkish champions Fenerbahce, saying he was looking forward to working with an ambitious club coached by his countryman Artur Zico.

"Turkish football is improving every day and Fenerbahce is one of the leaders," Carlos told the Istanbul club's television channel from his home in Madrid, the Anatolia news agency reported.

"I chose Fenerbahce to contribute to a club that has set itself high goals and wants to make a leap," he said.

"Fenerbahce are the greatest, Turkey is the greatest," the 34-year-old said in Turkish as he inked his contract.

Fenerbahce have not disclosed the duration or value of the contract, but Turkish newspapers reported that the club will pay Carlos four millions euros (5.3 million dollars) a year for two years and he will be eligible for bonuses totalling an additional one million euros (1.3 million dollars) a year.

Carlos will join four other Brazilian players at Fenerbahce which Brazilian football legend Zico has been coaching since 2006.

"Zico is one of the reasons why I chose Fenerbahce. I know him well. He is an idol of Brazilian football," Carlos said. "It is a great honour for me to work with him."

There was talk last year that Carlos would leave Real Madrid for Fenerbahce, but the former international decided to stay on with the Spanish giants until the end of his contract.

In April, he said he would leave after 11 years with Real and added, without giving details, that he had been talking to several European sides that would be involved in next year's Champions League.

During his tenure with Real, Roberto Carlos won three Champions League titles (1998, 2000 and 2002) and three Spanish league titles (1997, 2001 and 2003).

Fenerbahce crowned their centenary year this season with their 17th league title, but departed early from the Champions League.