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LIBON — Top Portuguese soccer side Sporting Lisbon have signed tsunami survivor Martunis to their academy, 11 years after the disaster that forced him to survive on puddle water for 21 days and killed his mother and two brothers.

Martunis, now 17, was unveiled in the Portuguese capital having pursued his dream in spite of the desolation brought on by the disaster that hit his home in Indonesia on Boxing Day 2004.

The giant waves, caused by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean, killed 230 000 people across 14 countries and separated the young boy from his family and leaving him to live off some noodles he had found and water from puddles.

Now, Martunis has joined Sporting’s famous academy that nurtured the talents of his hero, Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luis Figo in the past.

“It’s great to be here, this club makes my dream possible,” he said at his presentation. “I am incredibly excited about this opportunity. Viva Sporting!”

Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho said: “Martunis will work at the academy. We will work with him also in his development as a human being and as a man.” — Mailonline.