RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda has revealed that he declined offers from several clubs in Asia to play with Brazil's Botafogo.

The 33-year-old attracted more than 10,000 fans to his official presentation at Botafogo's Nilton Santos stadium on Saturday, less than 24 hours after he was welcomed by around 2,000 supporters upon his arrival at Rio de Janeiro's international airport.

"To be honest I received offers from clubs in Asia as well as Botafogo," he told journalists at his first press conference as a Botafogo player. "It wasn't easy to decide.

"The most important thing is that people here mobilized so that I would come here. They made contact on social media and were there to greet me at the airport. I've never been treated like that, with so much passion. The passion of the people is what made me decide to come."

Honda's 11-month contract includes a clause that allows him to leave after the Tokyo Olympics in August. However the former Milan star said he intended to remain at Botafogo "as long as possible".

Honda, who has been capped 98 times for Japan's national team, signed with the two-time Brazilian top flight champions on a free transfer after parting ways with Dutch side Vitesse in December.

Botafogo finished 15th in the 2019 Brazilian Serie A title race, just seven points clear of the relegation zone. Enditem

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