Chapecoense announced their first signings since the plane crash that resulted in the death of a majority of their squad.
Atletico Mineiro have loaned attacking midfielder Dodo to their fellow Brazilian side for a year with absolutely no cost for the agreement. Atletico and Chapecoense will split Dodo’s wages for the year.
Dodo, who represented Figueirense last season on loan, was apparently a target for Chapecoense before the accident that killed 19 of their players.
Atletico director, Lasaro Candido da Cunha, wrote on Twitter: ‘A few days before the accident, Chape asked Atletico if they could borrow Dodo……. ethics and solidarity can not be left alone in the speeches.’
Candido’s tweet came after Vagner Mancini, who was appointed Chapecoense manager after the accident, questioned the quality of players being offered on loan by some Brazilian sides.
Chapecoense have also signed 21-year-old goalkeeper Elias from Juventude and Douglas Grolli from Cruzeiro.
The division had agreed to lend players to Chapecoense as they attempt to rebuild their side.
A delegation of players and officials were involved in a plane crash in November as they headed to the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana in Medellin, Colombia.
Recall that the crash claimed the lives of 19 Chapecoense players and 52 other people, including officials, coaches and journalists.