Roan Carneiro (Pictures) is the newest member of American Top Team.

The 170-pound Brazilian prepared with the team for his Dec. 29 UFC win over Tony DeSouza (Pictures). He has since officially joined the Florida-based camp.

"Now I can say that I am part of the team," Carneiro told Sherdog.com. "I can count on great friends with whom I had trained before at the Carlson Gracie Team, Brazilian Top Team and Universo Atlético."

Carneiro has already planned a training schedule, balancing time between his home in Atlanta and ATT headquarters in Florida.

"It was difficult for me leaving Brazilian Top Team, but with my travel to America there was no reason to go train in Brazil and then come to the United States to train. That weighed on the decision," he explained. "I am living in Atlanta, where I'm training with several professionals such as Roberto Traven, Junior Assuncao (Pictures), Diego Saraiva (Pictures), among others. When there is a month left before my fight, I will train at ATT."

Several athletes have joined American Top Team in recent weeks, including Alessio Sakara (Pictures), Marcelo Garcia (Pictures) and possibly Thiago Silva (Pictures). Carneiro said the main reason that fighters seek the team is to represent it.

"In addition to the structure, what impressed me most was the professionalism," he said. "Those who live here are looking for their next work, and ATT is one of the most professional teams of today. Nobody degrades anyone. People only work; it makes a difference. You only have good people there."

"Jucão" ensures that he will return to the Octagon better than ever in 2008.

"I signed for four more fights and I'll be back in May at UFC 85," he said. "I do not know against who, but be assured that good things will come for me. I am very pleased to fight back and have to do my work again. I've never been so happy and motivated as I am now. This is very good."