Roberto Carlos moves to Fenerbahçe

ISTANBUL, Turkey -- Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos has agreed to play for Turkish champions Fenerbahce next season, a move the Istanbul club said would help it reach international success.

The 34-year-old Brazilian left-back announced his decision in a telephone interview with Fenerbahce's official TV channel, exclaiming "Fenerbahce, the greatest! Fenerbahce, the champions!"

Roberto Carlos has played for Real Madrid since 1996 and wanted to move to the Turkish side last season, but had to finish his contract with the Spanish team first, his agent Dino Pasalic said.

Fenerbahce is coached by another Brazilian, former world-class midfielder Zico, who won the Turkish League title with Fenerbahce this year.

The club did not disclose any financial details about the contract.

Fenerbahce is pushing hard to reach international success, and has also signed big-name players such as French striker Nicolas Anelka and Argentina's Ariel Ortega in recent years.

"We have transferred a player that conforms to the traditions of Fenerbahce," team Vice President Murat Ozaydinli said. "How great it is that today we don't have too much difficulty in signing players of legendary status."

Carlos won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and retired from international soccer after the 2006 World Cup having made 128 appearances for the national team.