Hundreds welcome refugee footballer home

Refugee Footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi has returned home to Australia after two months of detention in Thailand.

The Bahraini citizen was detained in Bangkok in November while on honeymoon at the request of Bahrain authorities following international outcry and diplomatic pressure.

The Arab kingdom ended its extradition attempt on Monday.

Hundreds of supporters cheered the arrival of the 25 – year old footballer at Melbourne airport on this morning.

Al-Araibi told the crowd that he is grateful to Australian people for their support.