New Botafogo signing Sebastian Abreu was greeted by several hundred
fans as he was unveiled on Wednesday as the Rio de Janeiro club's
new striker.
The Uruguay international was given the No. 13 shirt at the
club headquarters by Brazilian football legend Mario Zagallo,
completing his move from the Greek club Aris FC. Financial details
of the two-year deal were not disclosed. Zagallo also wore No. 13
for Botafogo.
Abreu should bring some much needed offense to the club,
which narrowly avoided relegation to Brazil's second division last
season.
Abreu said receiving the No. 13 shirt from Zagallo was
special. Zagallo won the World Cup for Brazil twice as a player -
1958 and 1962 - and once as coach in 1970.
"No matter what happens after this, this moment is special
because I received No. 13 from the hands of a star like Zagallo,"
Abreu said. "I want to thank him and the fans for choosing me. This
is a great club, and more important than me scoring goals is
Botafogo being champions."
Abreu was immediately asked about playing against Adriano,
Flamengo's striker and another big star in Rio de Janeiro.
"One prepares himself to play against Flamengo, but this is
not tennis or boxing," Abreu said. "Football is a game of 11
against 11 and Botafogo will do everything possible to win and make
the fans happy."
