Adriano Galliani hopes Keisuke Honda can link with Kaka

AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has admitted that he is unsure whether new signing Keisuke Honda will be able to play with Kaka in the same XI.

Galliani said that had Honda, who agreed a move to Milan last month, arrived before the return of Kaka the club might not have gone back in for the Brazilian playmaker.

"We signed a footballer, not an icon," Galliani told the media. "If there's economic advantages then so be it – but we have a player who can coexist with Kaka.

"Had Honda come in June would we have signed Kaka? I don't know. I won't lie to you. I honestly don't know. I love Ricky – I went to Madrid without an appointment. Kaka is a great player and a great person."

Kaka left Milan in 2009 for Real Madrid before returning last summer.