The Brazil great signed a 15-month-contract to take charge of Bunyodkor, formerly known as Kuruvchi, on Friday, while he will also assist his predecessor at the club, Mirdjalal Kasimov, who has been installed as the Uzbekistan national team coach.

Zico told his official website, www.ziconarede.com.br: "This is a big challenge to me. I feel something similar to how I felt in the nineties, when I received a proposal to play in Japan.

"One of my objectives is using my experience to help Uzbekistan football grow."

The 55-year-old has led a nomadic existence since playing in three World Cups for the Selecao, for whom he made 88 appearances and was lauded as among the greatest players of his generation.

Zico's playing career took him from Flamengo in Brazil to Italy's Udinese and Sumitomo Metals and Kashima Antlers in Japan.

His coaching career began with Kashima and he led Japan to the 2004 Asian Cup before taking charge of Turkey's Fenerbahce, who he left in June.

Zico attracted the attention of the Uzbekistan Football Federation and Bunyodkor due to his influence in Japan.

He revealed he had a number of offers from across Asia before deciding to move to Tashkent.

"I was called due the work I did in Japan," he said. "When I was coaching the national squad I received several offers from Asian countries with the intention of having me in a project similar to this.

"There were 15 years as a player, coach and board member in Japan, travelling around Asia - I finally conquered the respect from the continent."

Zico confirmed a "verbal agreement" was reached before travelling to Tashkent prior to Wednesday's match with Saipa, which saw Bunyodkor advance to the semi-finals 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.

Zico will coach compatriots Rivaldo and Luizao at Bunyodkor.

Rivaldo, the former World Player of the Year, helped to influence Zico's decision to move to Tashkent.

"Rivaldo was fundamental for me accepting the challenge in Bunyodkor," Zico added.

"He called me a couple of weeks ago to find out my interest in taking the team's reins as the club's president asked him to.

"He told me about the idea of setting a project to develop the side's football and also about the UFF desires."