SINGAPORE, Dec 4 — Brazilian legend Ronaldinho will arrive in Singapore next week to establish a football academy in the football-mad city-state, a local club said today.

The World Cup winner will partner with local football club Tampines Rovers and the International Football Group to jointly establish the Ronaldinho Football Academy, a Tampines Rovers statement said.

A memorandum of understanding to establish the football school will be signed at a ceremony next Thursday.

Ronaldinho was part of the Brazilian team that won the 2002 World Cup and also took home the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2004 and 2005.

During his time with Barcelona football club, he won two league titles, a Champions League and the 2005 Ballon d’Or. — AFP