Konami Digital Entertainment today announced the signing of Brazilian soccer star Adriano Leite Ribeiro as the official cover athlete for Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007. With the game’s focus on fast-paced, realistic soccer action, the young Inter Milan striker is the perfect representative for the cover of the world’s best-rated soccer series, says Konami.

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1982, Adriano is one of the most dangerous strikers in soccer today. He began his career with the Brazilian league club Flamenga before joining Italian powerhouse Inter Milan in 2002. Adriano has been a permanent fixture on the Brazilian international team for more than five years, and was the leading scorer in the 2004 Copa America with seven goals as well as the winner of the Golden Ball Award for his five goals in the 2005 Confederations Cup.

Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 marks the renowned soccer series’ next generation debut on the Xbox 360 as well as being available on the PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS and PC. Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007 is scheduled for release in January 2007.