Disgraced goalkeeper Bruno has expressed his gratitude at being welcomed back into professional football by Boa Esporte.
The Brazilian has landed himself a two-year contract shortly after seeing a 22-year prison sentence cut short.
Bruno was jailed in 2010 after being found guilty of homicide, kidnapping and hiding the body of his ex-girlfriend Eliza Samudio.
Brunto to sign for Boa Esporte
He has served just seven years of that sentence, but is now free to continue his sporting career.
Boa Esporte have been widely condemned for acquiring his services, with five sponsors walking away from the club, but the 32-year-old is grateful for their support.
He told reporters: "I thank the club president (Rone Moraes da Costa). He opened the doors for me and I need to be very grateful for the opportunity I have.
"The goal of the club is to go up to the first division of the Brazilian Championship and that is my goal now.
“The man can make plans, but whoever gives the final word is God. I came to help and not to think of myself.”
Da Costa has defended Boa’s decision to sign Bruno in a lengthy Facebook post.
He said: "Esporte Clube was not responsible for the release and freedom of the athlete Bruno.”
Da Costa added that the club were “giving work to those who intend to recover” and that Bruno “deserves a new opportunity as a professional.”
The family of Eliza Samudio, along with several groups working on the eradication of violence against women, have expressed their outrage at the move.
Samudio’s body was never found, with Bruno’s cousin revealing during court proceedings that he had helped to dismember her body and feed her to several dogs after she demanded child support payments.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)