Zola is to be unveiled at a press conference at 1630 GMT when details of his contract will be disclosed by Cagliari president Massimo Cellino.

Chelsea, bought up by a Russian oil tycoon on Tuesday, had hoped to persuade the 36-year-old former Italy international to stay for another year to help them in the Champions League next season.

But the former Napoli and Parma forward. who signed for Chelsea in November 1997, has decided to leave London and finish his career on his island home of Sardinia.

The diminutive Italian played a prominent role in the season which ended with Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea finishing fourth and qualifying for Europe's premier club competition. Zola was Chelsea's top scorer with 16 goals in his 46 appearances.

Zola, who is 37 on Saturday, was out of contract at Chelsea from Tuesday.

He had been keen to play a final season in London but was said to be unhappy that Chelsea had decided to slash his wages. He was reportedly offered a new 12-month deal worth 1.3 million pounds (2 million dollars) -- less than half the 2.8 million pounds (4.6 million dollars) per season Zola earned in his last contract.