Former Japan international Keisuke Honda said Saturday the passion of Botafogo's supporters played a key role in his decision to join the Brazilian first-division club.

The 33-year-old midfielder revealed at his welcoming press conference at Botafogo's Nilton Santos Stadium that he declined several offers from clubs in Europe and Asia after being overwhelmed by ardent fans of the Rio de Janeiro-based side.

"I decided to play here (because) a lot of people here were waiting for me," Honda said. "They took action and contacted me through social media. I have never felt that emotion. They were so excited. I have never heard people like that."

Honda announced his arrival in Brazil the previous day with a tweet in Portuguese accompanied by video footage of Botafogo fans packing the airport and welcoming him with loud cheers.

[Getty/Kyodo]

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"Yesterday at the airport, I've never seen that in all of my life. I think that the passion of the people made me decide to play here," he said.

Honda said he intends to "put everything I have experienced (into) this team" while aiming to be selected as an overage player for this summer's Tokyo Olympics.

He declined to comment on whether he planned to exercise a clause in his 11-month contract which would allow him to leave after the games.

"That is just an option, not a fixed contract," Honda said.

"I'm here to just focus on playing as a Botafogo player, so I haven't thought about the option right now. I want to think about it after the Olympics, but I'm sure I will stay here as long as possible, for the supporters of Botafogo. That's the reason why I decided to play here."

Honda said he is working hard on learning Portuguese to better communicate with his fans and teammates.

"I played with a lot of Brazilian players in Japan, Russia and Italy, so I remember some words but I have to study again. I will get better."

Honda said he also intended to write a new chapter of soccer history in Brazil and pave the way for future Japanese players.

"I think Brazil and Japan have a history as humanity, but football history is still waiting," he said.

"Japanese players haven't succeeded in Brazil, so I want to be the person who succeeds at Botafogo, for history. That's the challenge and it's not easy, but I have to do that."

Honda, who made 98 appearances for Japan's senior national team, joined Dutch first-division side Vitesse Arnhem in November but left the club after a month and a half following the firing of manager Leonid Slutsky, his former mentor at CSKA Moscow.

He has continued to train since and said he expects to reach match fitness in "two to three weeks."

Botafogo finished 15th in the Brazilian top-tier last season. The club has three wins and two losses this season in Rio de Janeiro's state competition.