On the morning of this Friday (24.07), Flamengo's new number ten was presented: Ederson. The athlete gave a press conference at Fla Experience, Flamengo's interactive exhibition at the Gávea headquarters. Alongside him are the director of football, Rodrigo Caetano, and the club's president, Eduardo Bandeira de Mello.

Ederson was hired with resources from Red-Black Nation Program. Become a fan member and help Flamengo to be stronger.

"Another reinforcement that came thanks to the hard and tireless work of our football department. After Guerrero, Emerson, Alan Patrick, and other athletes, comes our number ten. He left Brazil early, was successful in Europe, and now he returns to play for Mengão and wear Zico's jersey," said Bandeira de Mello.

Caetano completed the president's remarks. "I want to clarify that Ederson is under contract with us until the end of 2017. It took a personal and financial effort on his part to be here today, given the values ​​and conditions that Flamengo offers. He believed in the project the club has for him today and in the challenge. We know how much it means for any athlete to wear this jersey, especially with this number. No one stays in Europe and plays for just three clubs without quality. We hope he relives his best moments at Flamengo and that the fans embrace him. This way, the club becomes stronger and shows the market that it's worth coming here," he stated.

I'm very happy, honored, and proud to be here today. It's a dream to return to my country after 11 years of playing at a high level in Europe, especially at the biggest club in Brazil, with the biggest fan base in the world. I'll do everything I can to honor this jersey and bring great joy to the red-and-black fans. 

It's always been my dream to return at a younger age so I can write my story in my country as well. I'm very happy. 

This is a topic I'd like to clarify definitively. Soccer is a sport with a lot of physical contact, and unfortunately, injuries do happen. I believe that what we think is what we attract into our lives. From now on, I only want to think positive things, that I'm at the biggest club in Brazil. I'm in good physical shape and will do everything I can to get myself in shape as quickly as possible to be available to our coach. I've been training for two and a half weeks, focusing on the physical aspect of training during the European preseason. 

The squad is full of great players. I hope to gel with everyone as quickly as possible and do a good job.

I wore the number ten jersey for my youth team, and for other clubs as well. Here, I need to ask the greatest of them all for permission to wear it. I know there's pressure, a lot of pressure, but there's also a lot of joy and pride in wearing this jersey. I'll do everything I can to honor it.

I'm a playmaker. My main role is to set up plays and connect defense and attack. Without possession, I also do defensive work to help the team. In Europe, I always tried to be versatile. I've played as a striker on the right and left, sometimes even a bit deeper.

It's a huge responsibility. But playing with great players is easy. Emerson, Guerrero, and Éverton are very fast, and I believe we'll have a good connection. When the team works well, it highlights each player's individual qualities. 

It's a dream for any player to come here, to one of the biggest clubs in the world. At Lazio, I wasn't getting much use from the coach, so I opted for Flamengo. I'm very happy to be here.

European football is more compact, with a lot of marking, and Brazilian football is more technical and skillful. I hope to readapt as quickly as possible. I believe that with the help of my teammates, it will be quick.

Flamengo is a great club and must constantly fight to strengthen itself and stay in the top spots. I've seen the recent victories and I think the team has everything it takes to climb the table. I'm going to meet my teammates, then I have to finalize my move from Italy to Brazil, and I'll be available to the group on Thursday. I've seen that there's a great working environment at Flamengo, and I want to join my teammates soon.

It wasn't easy getting my release from Lazio. The president didn't want to release me; he suggested other clubs with loan options. But when I learned of Flamengo's interest, I told the president that it was a dream come true to come play here. The release was a relief.

I was fortunate enough to meet Zico in person at an awards ceremony. I realized that besides being a great player, he's a wonderful person. It's an honor for me to wear the jersey of Flamengo's greatest scorer and greatest idol. I'll spare no effort to play well and bring joy to the fans.

When we learned about the transfer to Rio, we bought black suitcases and discovered they were red inside. A wonderful coincidence that my wife and I noticed when we got home.

Today I feel 100%. I'm no longer worried about that. I dream of returning to the national team, but I have to do some good work here at Flamengo first. Then the call-up may come naturally. I hope to do great things at this wonderful club.