Seedorf signs record deal with Brazilian club Botafogo

Four-time Champions League winner Clarence Seedorf has moved to the Brazilian League with Botafogo, the club said Sunday.

The 36-year-old Dutch midfielder has signed a two-year deal with the top-flight Rio de Janeiro side.

“This is the greatest ever signing of a foreigner by a Brazilian club,” Botafogo said in a website statement.

Seedorf left AC Milan earlier this month after a 10-year spell that included two Champions League titles and two Serie A championships, saying that the Italian club had been prepared to offer him a new contract.

At the time, he said he was looking for a “project” to continue his career, and could return to Milan in a non-playing capacity at a later stage.

Seedorf’s wife Luviana is reportedly a passionate Botafogo supporter.

Seedorf switched to Milan from city rivals Inter in 2002 in exchange for defender Francesco Coco after earlier spells with Ajax and Real Madrid.

He retired from the Dutch national team in 2008 after scoring 11 goals in 87 appearances during a 14-year international career.

Botafogo have not won a major trophy since lifting the 1995 Brazilian title, and are eighth of 20 teams in the Brazilian Serie A after playing six games of the 2012 season.

IANS