MILAN, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Brazilian World Cup winner Rivaldo is to leave European champions AC Milan, the Italian club's vice-president said on Saturday.

"It is with great sadness that I have to say that Rivaldo will leave Milan within a few days," Adriano Galliani told Radio Spazio Aperto.

Milan agreed to release Rivaldo from his contract in September but then both the player and club had a change of heart and he decided to carry on.

However, the Brazilian has been unable to secure regular first team football and will now be able to look for a new club and move when the transfer window re-opens in January.

"He has been unable to find a place in the team and so without doubt he will play for another club from January," said Galliani.

After deciding against leaving Milan in September, Rivaldo was reintroduced to the side and made a substitute appearance in the Champions League against Celta Vigo but he has not featured since.

England appears the most likely destination for the Brazilian now - in September Rivaldo said he had received several offers from premier league clubs.

A return to Spain, where he made his name with Deportivo Coruna and Barcelona could also be a possibility although the player's high wages could put off some potential bidders.

Rivaldo joined Milan from Barcelona fresh from winning the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 but never managed to reproduce the form that made him such a success in five seasons with Barcelona.

After a low-key first season in Serie A he was left on the bench for the Champions League final against Juventus in May and has hardly featured this season for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Rivaldo recently described the past year as the worst of his playing career.

"I honestly don't know why I can't find space in the team even on the bench," he said before scoring for Brazil against Peru in a South American World Cup qualifier.

Despite being restricted to the fringes at Milan, the 31-year-old forward has continued to be a key part of the Brazil side.

But at the San Siro he has found himself behind compatriot Kaka and Portugal's Rui Costa in the battle for the slot behind strikers Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko.

By Simon Evans