Clarence Seedorf joins Brazilian giants Botafogo

Veteran former Dutch international midfielder Clarence Seedorf has signed a two-year deal with Botafogo, the Brazilian top-flight side have confirmed.

Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo announced the capture of Seedorf, 36, as "the biggest signing of a foreign player ever made by a Brazilian club."

The player's agent Deborah Martin, told the online version of sports daily Lance: "Seedorf is the first European player to go to Brazil. He is still breaking records. The idea of playing in the Mecca of football was very attractive to him."

According to local press reports, Seedorf's deal will see him earn 18.3 million reais ($9.1m) over two years.

Botafogo president Mauricio Assumpcao said his club managed to beat off competition from clubs in England, China and the United States to sign Seedorf, who is married to a Brazilian woman.

"We worked on this for a long time, not just two or three months," he told Lance.

"This is the arrival of an idol, a player who has won everything and who our fans are hoping can help us win titles."

Assumpcao added that the club plan to unveil Seedorf at the home game against Bahia on July 7, and that they hope he can make his debut later this month against Gremio.

Seedorf left AC Milan in June when his contract expired, bringing to an end a ten-year spell at the San Siro.

He won two Champions League crowns and two Serie A titles during his time with the Rossoneri, and also won the Champions League with Ajax and Real Madrid, adding two Dutch titles and one in Spain as well.

Seedorf, who was born in Suriname, played 87 times for the Netherlands, scoring 11 goals, and is the only player to have won the Champions League with three different clubs.

Botafogo, who were national champions in 1995, sit eighth in the Brazilian league having won three of their opening six matches of the season.