Denilson heads to FC Dallas

The on again, off again agreement between FC Dallas and Brazilian World Cup winner Denilson is back on and finally for good. Sources told ESPN.com that FC Dallas has finally agreed to a deal with the 29 year-old midfielder. The club is very hopeful Denilson will be available for his MLS debut Sept. 1 vs. D.C. United and for FC Dallas' U.S. Open Cup semifinal on Sept. 4 at the Seattle Sounders. A month ago, a source close to the negotiations was "pessimistic" a deal would be reached after Denilson had decided to take some more time and explore other options. Negotiations were also delayed due to visa issues as Denilson's original tourist visa expired and he had to acquire a second visa to enter the U.S. The club expects the Brazilian will not have any issues receiving his P-1 visa. To make room for Denilson, the club will have to create a roster space and currently has all of its four senior internationals slots filled (Adrian Serioux, Marcelo Saragosa, Carlos Ruiz and Pablo Ricchetti). The source said, "Steve [Morrow] loves this group and that makes it hard. If it were up to him, he'd just keep adding to the roster." The source also confirmed the major sticking point between the two sides was not the overall financial value of the offer but rather the length of years of the contract. Denilson arrived back in Dallas Wednesday for the second time since beginning talks with the club earlier this summer. This time he had his team of lawyers and advisors in tow to sign the contract. Denilson, who last played his club soccer in Saudi Arabia, was a key contributor to Brazil's 2002 World Cup win and becomes just the 4th player ever in MLS history to have won a World Cup. The Metrostars/New York Red Bulls have had the previous three with Branco, Lothar Matthaus and Youri Djorkaeff. The winger has been keeping fit back in Brazil by training with the first team of Sao Paulo club Palmeiras and playing matches with their reserves. The club will officially present Denilson on Friday at Pizza Hut Park.