The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Rio De Janeiro

Ronaldo's fiancee, Maria Beatriz Antony, on Wednesday gave birth to the striker's second child, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Antony gave birth to Maria Sofia in Rio de Janeiro's Clinica Perinatal, hospital spokeswoman Ana Maria Funky said by telephone,adding the baby was born weighing 2.98 kilograms (6.57 pounds).

She said Ronaldo was present when his daughter was born and cut the umbilical cord.

Funky said both mother and daughter were in perfect health and should leave the hospital no later than Friday.

Ronaldo, who is recovering from knee surgery and recently signed with Brazilian club Corinthians, already has an 8-year-old boy, Ronald, from a previous relationship.

The three-time FIFA player of the year hasn't played since injuring his knee in February while representing AC Milan in the Serie A.

Ronaldo led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title in South Korea and Japan, scoring twice in the final against Germany.

Black eager for switch to Hearts

BBC Online

Inverness Caledonian Thistle midfielder Ian Black says a move to boyhood idols Hearts was too good to turn down.

The 23-year-old, once a ballboy at Tynecastle, will follow in his father's footsteps by becoming a Hearts player after verbally agreeing a contract.

"I have enjoyed every minute of the time I've had up here with Inverness," said Black.

"But the Hearts chance is one in a million, a great opportunity - one that I could not knock back."

It is uncertain when Black, who joined Inverness from Blackburn Rovers in 2004, will actually make the switch to the Edinburgh club.

His is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club during January, has already met with Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo and is expected to sign for Hearts until 2012, but his Inverness deal does not end until the summer.

However, the clubs could yet agree a transfer fee that will allow the player to move when the transfer window opens.

"There are people behind the scenes that have looked after me very well and I've learned a lot," Black said of his time at Caledonian Stadium.

"But I used to play for Tynecastle Boys' Club and they have strong links with Hearts. I was a ball boy at Tynecastle and my dad used to play for them - so it's great to be joining the club.

"I met Csaba last week. He seems like a great guy. I know what his plans are for the club and he has high expectations - so it's going to be great.

"He knows what he is doing. Everything that he says gives you a lot of confidence and I liked what he had to say."