Romario will play at the Marston Stadium next season

An announcement on the club's website said the former FIFA World Player of the Year would make the move to Garforth Town for the 2005-6 season.

A club official confirmed the news but would not give further details. The 39-year-old is currently playing in Brazil for Vasco de Gama.

Brazilian star Socrates turned out for Garforth earlier this season.

Brazilian soccer

The club, which plays in the Northern Counties East Division One, is owned by former primary school teacher Simon Clifford who also runs a series of Brazilian Soccer Schools up and down the country.

He is responsible for enticing Socrates, 50, to sign a one-month contract which saw him make his debut against Tadcaster in November 2004.

Mr Clifford's stated aim is to take Garforth into the Premiership by 2025. A previous attempt to snap up Romario failed.

Romario was once one of the biggest names in football - a top striker for Barcelona and the star of the 1994 World Cup.

His arrival at Garforth, a former pit village, will be a far cry from playing in front of huge Latin American crowds - as the Marston Stadium has a capacity of 3,000.