Brazilian football great Pele has been transferred to the special care unit at a Sao Paolo hospital.

The 74-year-old was admitted to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein three days ago with a urinary infection.

A hospital statement on Thursday confirmed Pele had been moved to a different area of the hospital, citing "clinical instability" which essentially refers to privacy issues for the legendary former striker.

It read: "Edson Arantes do Nascimento [Pele] remains in hospital.