Brazilian striker Ronaldo has agreed to join Sao Paulo-based Corinthians after recovering from a serious knee injury suffered last February.

The 32-year-old will join the club, who are one of Brazil's biggest and have just won promotion back to the top flight, for the 2009 season as he attempts to re-ignite his career.

"We've reached a verbal agreement for Ronaldo to play there (Corinthians)," his agent Fabiano Farah confirmed today.

Corinthians announced negotiations were at an advanced stage and their club shop immediately began selling Ronaldo replica shirts in both the home and away versions.

"In the next few hours, the two sides should provide the final formalities to close the deal and set a date for the presentation of the athlete," said a statement on the club's website (www.corinthians.com.br).

It will be the first time Ronaldo has played for a Brazilian club since leaving Cruzeiro, where he was developed, at the age of 17 in 1994 to join PSV Eindhoven.

The move comes amid scepticism as to whether Ronaldo, who appeared to have lost his hunger for the game in the last two years, has the motivation to continue playing at the top level.

Even before the injury, he had suffered from fitness and weight problems and has not played for Brazil since his much-criticised performance at the 2006 World Cup.