The 55-year-old, who left Turkey's Fenerbahce in June, has joined compatriots Rivaldo and Luizao in Tashkent as successor to Mirdjalal Kasimov, who has been named coach of Uzbekistan.

Zico confirmed a "verbal agreement" was reached before travelling to Tashkent prior to Wednesday's match with Saipa, which saw Bunyodkor, formerly known as Kuruvchi, advance to the semi-final of the Asian Champions League.

Terms on the contract, which ends at the end of the 2009 season, were agreed on Friday, the club announced on their official website, www.fcbunyodkor.com.