SAO PAULO (AP) — Several thousand fans have welcomed Kaka on his return to Brazilian club Sao Paulo, where he’ll play on loan until the start of next year’s Major League Soccer season.

Brazilian media said nearly 20,000 fans were at the Morumbi Stadium on Sunday as Kaka was officially introduced in a ceremony.

The former Brazil star left AC Milan to join MLS club Orlando City, but will stay with Sao Paulo on a loan until the end of the year.

Kaka says it’s “a thrill to return after 11 years to the club where I grew up.”

The 32-year-old Kaka became recognized internationally thanks to his success with Sao Paulo in the early 2000s, leading to a transfer to AC Milan in 2003 and eventually Real Madrid in 2009.

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