Nationals ready for Major League

Baseball is returning to Washington for the first time since 1971

Major League baseball is set to return to Washington DC next year.

The deal looked set to collapse last week after the city council insisted a new ballpark be part-funded privately, which the MLB called unacceptable.

But now the council has approved total financing from public funds and the National League club will be relocated from its former home in Montreal.

The Nationals will play at the RFK Stadium until the new home is ready, which is expected to be in 2008.

Major League Baseball's decision to split losses from any construction delays on the $400m stadium deal were the key to securing approval from the city council.

But the MLB will not pay rent at RFK Stadium, if the new park is not ready by the target date.

"We can now focus our attention on bringing baseball back to Washington this coming season," major league commissioner Bud Selig said.

The Nationals are the first major league team to relocate since the Washington Senators became the Texas Rangers after the 1971 season.

The Rangers were once owned by US President George W Bush, who could throw out the first pitch at the Nationals' opening game, which is scheduled to be on 14 April.

Major League Baseball took over the Expos in February 2002 with the other 29 clubs' owners paying around $5.5 million each to keep the club afloat.

The Expos ran into difficulties after attendances plummeted at the Canadian team's home games.