Flamengo unveiled Marcelinho Paraíba as the club's newest addition to the Brazilian Championship late Wednesday afternoon. At the press conference held in the Rogério Steinberg Auditorium, the player expressed his excitement about playing for Brazil's biggest club and promised to be fully committed to winning the trust of the Flamengo fans.

"I'm very happy to be here. This warm welcome I received was a surprise. I appreciate the trust of Flamengo's management. The Flamengo jersey was a factor in my decision to come to Rio de Janeiro. Playing for a club like Flamengo, with a huge fan base, is what every player dreams of. I want to debut soon. I won't lack desire and determination," said Marcelinho, who signed a contract until December 2010.

At 33, Marcelinho Paraíba has spent the last eight years playing in European football. According to the player, this period was important, as he learned a lot while playing in the German Championship. Even from a distance, Marcelinho followed the Brasileirão matches and stated that he knows the red-and-black squad well.

- "German football is different from Brazilian football. There, the game is more about strength. I learned a lot about tactical discipline. I'm Brazilian, and I don't think I'll have any trouble adapting to the style of play here. I know the Flamengo squad well, and I know they have great players. I always followed the Brazilian Championship from Germany."

For Marcelinho, a player must have personality to wear the Flamengo shirt.

"Everyone knows how great Flamengo is and the fan base it has. A player has to have personality to play here. Every player dreams of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world."

The new signing stated that he is in good physical condition, having participated in the entire preseason with his former club, Wolfsburg, in Germany. Marcelinho believes that the red-and-black team will fight for the top spots in the Brazilian Championship.

"I'm at Caio Júnior's disposal. I had a good preseason and I'm ready. I can play whatever position the coach needs. I was playing midfielder in Germany, but I can easily play as a second striker. I want to help the club win the Brasileirão. Flamengo has had a slump in recent rounds, but that's normal. We're title contenders."

Marcelinho said that playing for Flamengo is a dream. During his presentation, the player surprised everyone by saying that in 1991 he tried out for Flamengo, but homesickness for Paraíba derailed his childhood dream.

"I used to play for Flamengo. In 1991, I had several trials here at the club, but I returned to Paraíba missing my family. Now the dream is realized."