World Kick Off

AC Milan have signed Italy international defender Gianluca Zambrotta from Barcelona, the Serie A club announced on Sunday.

Zambrotta has been a long-term target for former European champions AC Milan.

Milan did not release financial details, but Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the former European champions paid $14 million for Zambrotta and will pay another $3.1 million if they finish in the top three in Serie A next season.

Milan finished fifth in Serie A and had to settle for a UEFA Cup place -- and lost in the first round of the knockout stages to Arsenal in their unsuccessful defense of the Champions League last season.

Zambrotta, 31, joined Barcelona from Juventus after Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph. He had spent seven-years at Juve who were relegated for their part in a match fixing scandal.

The defender is key member of the Italy team that will play in the European Championship this month in Switzerland and Austria and has been a target for Milan for some time.

Milan needed a defender after Brazilian fullbacks Cafu and Serginho left at the end of the campaign while veteran Paolo Maldini is also yet to sign a new deal for what will be his final season.

Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini was Milan's first signing for next season and several more deals are expected this summer.(CNN) --