Japan's Keisuke Honda lands in Rio to revive struggling Botafogo

Japan's football player Keisuke Honda (C) greets Botafogo football fans as he arrives at the Galeao Airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 7, 2020. /AFP Photo

The fans of the Brazilian football club Botafogo gave a hero's welcome to their new Japanese recruit Keisuke Honda as the prolific midfielder arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Friday to join the first division side.

Hundreds of Botafogo fans, holding both the club's flag as well as Japanese flags, received the Japanese star at the arrivals hall of the city's Galeao international airport while chanting his name to the beat of samba drums. "Ole, Ole, Ole, Ola, Honda, Honda," was the deafening chant by a huge crowd of frenzied fans at the Rio airport.

The 33-year-old former AC Milan star also acknowledged the overwhelming support from the fans and briefly posed for photographs and held a large Botafogo flag before being whisked away to a hotel in a police-escorted vehicle.

Japan's Keisuke Honda (R) scores his team's second goal against Senegal during their FIFA World Cup group match in Yekaterinburg, Russia, June 24, 2018. /VCG Photo

Honda has played 98 matches for the Japan national team and has been a key player in the midfield for the Asian giants. The former AC Milan and CSKA Moscow star has scored 37 international goals, including four World Cup goals. Interestingly, in 2018 he became the first-ever Japanese player to score in three World Cup tournaments.

However, he has flown to the Latin American football superpower nation after joining the two-time Brazilian top flight champions on a free transfer following a less than two-month stint with Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem.

His brief contract with the Netherlands club ended in December 2019 and according to the Brazilian media his new contract with Botafogo will run until December this year.

A giant banner of Keisuke Honda is displayed at the airport to greet the Japanese star in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 7, 2020. /VCG Photo

The struggling club finished 15th in the 2019 Brazilian Serie A title race, just seven points clear of the relegation zone and are hoping for a turn around with the Japanese ace joining their ranks.

Known for being one of the best players in Japanese football history, Honda was officially unveiled on Saturday at Nilton Santos stadium, the track and field venue for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

An excited Botafogo fan cheers for the arrival of Keisuke Honda in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, February 7, 2020. /VCG Photo

He is not the first foreign recruit for the Brazilian club as the Japanese will follow in the footsteps of Dutch great Clarence Seedorf, the only man to win the Champions League with three different clubs, who joined in 2012 and enjoyed a successful 18-month stint in Rio.

The most famous footballer in the history to don the club's jersey was Brazilian icon and two-time World Cup winner Garrincha in the 1950s and 60s.

(With input from AFP)