ROBINHO is set to join Turkish club Sivasspor - despite being sentenced to nine years in prison for gang rape.

The Brazilian striker was found guilty by an Italian court in November last year, but is currently going through the appeals process, that could take years.

3 Robino has reached an agreement to sign for Turkish club Sivasspor - despite being sentenced to nine years in prison Credit: Getty Images - Getty

That means he is free to carry on his job - playing football.

And Sivasspor have announced on their official website this morning that they have reached an agreement with the 33-year-old to join from Atletico Mineiro in his homeland, Brazil.

The former Manchester City ace is one of a group of six convicted of assaulting an Albanian girl in a Milan night club on January 22, 2013.

Robinho was playing for AC Milan at the time.

3 Robinho is currently appealing his sentence of nine years for gang rape - and won't serve time inside until that has been resolved Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Best ever skills from former Manchester City and Real Madrid star Robinho

At the time of sentencing, Robinho immediately announced he would be challenging the ruling.

Under Italian law he won't begin the sentence until the appeals process has been finalised - which could take years.

A statement posted on his Instagram from his legal team on the court's decision read: “Regarding the news involving the striker Robinho, in an incident that occurred several years ago, we wish to clarify that he already declared his innocence and maintained he had no involvement whatsoever."

It added: “All legal steps are now being taken with regards to this decision by a court of first instance.”

If he loses the appeal he would could be extradited to serve prison time in Italy.

Robinho moved to Europe amid much hype in 2005 when he joined Real Madrid from Santos.

He broke the British transfer record in 2008 when Man City lured him from Real Madrid for £32.5million.

After a bright start to life in England, he soon started to struggle and was eventually sent out on loan to former club Santos after just 16 months.

3 Big things were expected of Robinho when he joined Man City - but he flopped spectacularly Credit: PA:Empics Sport

At the end of the season, he moved to AC Milan where he was joined by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and later Antonio Cassano en route to winning Serie A.

He would spend five years in Italy before moving to China with Guangzhou Evergande and then onto Atletico Mineiro in 2016.

Robinho had previously been accused of sexual assault while at City in 2009, but was later cleared.