ITALIAN champion Inter Milan declared Monday that Brazilian Lucio’s move was official, several days after Bayern Munich reported on its official Web site that the deal was done.

“With all the paperwork now given into the offices of the Lega Nazionale Professionisti (the Italian FA) this afternoon, the purchase of the Brazilian international captain Lucimar Da Silva Ferreira Lucio is now completed,” reported a club statement on www.inter.it.

The 31-year-old has had a glittering career thus far, winning the World Cup in 2002 as well as two Confederations Cups with the Selecao. Domestically, he has won the league three times with Bayern Munich as well as three German Cups.

The statement went on to wish Lucio well during his three-year contract.

“We extend our welcome to Lucio, who has signed with the club until June 30, 2012, from everyone at Inter and all our supporters,” it concluded.

Inter was quick to turn to the ball-playing center-back after deciding against the pursuit of Ricardo Carvalho any further, and are expected to pay around 5 million euros (US$7.14 million) for the Brazilian.

The former Bayer Leverkusen defender will provide excellent competition at the back for Inter, who relied heavily on Cristian Chivu last year as other options struggled with injuries.

(SD-Agencies)