Brazilian striker Hulk has got over his break-up with ex-wife Iran Angelo de Souza… by starting a relationship with their niece.
Hulk and Iran broke up in July, ending their 12-year marriage.
Now the 33-year-old Shanghai SIPG forward has started dating Iran’s niece Camila.
A representative of the former Brazil ace confirmed the relationship to Brazilian website UOL Esporte, claiming that his position is “transparent”.
The statement read: “Hulk called Camila’s parents and brother to tell them the truth. They began dating in October.
“It was Hulk himself who made the news public because he did not want to hide anything. His position is transparent.”
Camila was reportedly Iran’s “favourite niece”, with the pair sharing many happy pictures together on Instagram.
She posted a lengthy message to Iran on what appeared to be her official Instagram, explaining the new relationship.
Camila wrote: “Aunt Iran, I first want to tell you that this message is not an explanation or justification of anything.
“I needed to tell you some things that unfortunately circumstances do not allow me to say personally.
“Although it is irrelevant to you now, I love you very much and care about you, so I am speaking here.
“I really want you to know things that maybe everyone will talk about differently, mere speculation, but I don’t really judge them because outsiders know absolutely nothing and most of the time just want the situation to be worse.
“It’s been very hard to face all this, but I wouldn’t do it if it wasn’t true.
“I never imagined it could happen, but we don’t rule our heart, no one is immune or exempt from it. Live the greatest of feelings.
“I’m sorry for everything. If I could choose, we wouldn’t be going through this, but life doesn’t spin the way we imagine it to.
“He showed me that there was no chance of a possible return, so we allowed ourselves to live.”
Iran has had her say on her ex-husband’s new relationship.
She told UOL columnist Leo Dias: “It is deeply regretted that Mr Hulk, not content with ending a marriage of more than 12 years, he then did not respect the pain of the one who always devoted love, affection, respect and consideration to him – as well as his children, whose supreme interests should be preserved by their father. “
Hulk, whose real name is Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, has three children with Iran – 10-year-old Ian, eight-year-old Tiago and six-year-old Alice.
Camila, at 31, is only two years his junior.
The former Porto and Zenit Saint Petersburg man is currently based in China, where he earns £320,000 a week at Shanghai SIPG.
