Former Arsenal scout Sandro Orlandelli admits he tipped off the club about a young Kaka playing for Sao Paulo.

Before his move to AC Milan, Kaka was recommended to Arsenal by Orlandelli who months later would be appointed their South American scout.

He recalled to Premier League Brasil: "I commented on a player who was still unknown on the international market. It was Kaká.

"As I passed through São Paulo, I followed Kaká a lot. He was a player with late biological maturity, who couldn't play many games, with a little difficulty with strength and speed, but he already showed characteristics that were justified over the years.

"At that moment it caused doubt, but suddenly he started to be called up and that attracted attention. They called me to be a scout in Latin America."