I AM A GOLDEN NEGRO OF MOTHER AFRICA". In dark blue ink, these words in Portuguese wrap around a map of Africa on Harry O'Brien's back. On the Magpie player's upper left arm is a tattoo of Christ the Redeemer, the statue that rises as protector over the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. The tattoos, positioned on his back and shoulder, close to his heart, are homage to two countries O'Brien has reconnected with only recently.

Born of a Brazilian mother and Congolese father, Heretier "Harry" O'Brien grew up in Perth, not made an outsider, but not really at home, either.

"I suppose the Aboriginals say they have a connection to the land back home in Australia and I certainly feel I have that connection to the land here in Africa," O'Brien said in Cape Town on his last day in Africa. "It has been really important to me, this trip.

"My father was from the Congo, north Angola. Even though they are different countries in Africa, I suppose I feel similarities in certain things. For example, the way everyone walks here, I have always been given crap through the years by my mates for the way I walk all gangly and the way I play football. Everyone says I look all gangly and to see everyone here and they are all all gangly, so I feel at home.

"I don't know what it is but I was watching some of the games the kids were playing and listening to the singing and the tears started welling up in my eyes, not from sadness. I don't know why, I can't explain it."

O'Brien went to Africa with Collingwood for a two-week training camp and was prevented from playing the NAB Cup game in Dubai by a shoulder operation. It meant he remained in Africa for an extra week with other Collingwood players for promotional clinics.

"I had really wanted to play in Dubai and I could have easily got down about it but I was so thankful to God that everything happens for a reason and, if I didn't have the shoulder at the time I had it, I would have not experienced this and this will really, I know, hold me in such good stead for the year because, for me, the whole identity issue and self-assurance really does mean a lot to me," he said.

"Going to Brazil a few years ago for the first time in 10 years was something massive for me and I think it really helped my football, I felt my football really improved. I felt like a weight was off my shoulders, and I am feeling this now.

"I remember coming back from Brazil that first time a few years ago and I just walked with my chest out and my head up more and I felt a lot surer of myself and now coming here, I know it will have the same effect."

O'Brien got his Africa tattoo in December and last month made his first visit to the continent.

On a visit to Brazil last October, he saw the words and the map that were to be inked on his back, printed on a T-shirt of a man in the street. The image remains with him forever now.

"I have decided every time I come to Africa — which I plan to do often, to travel — I am going to add something to the country that I come to within the confines of the tattoo. Something small that maybe came out of the trip," he said.

"I will definitely put something in there for this trip because of the impact the trip has had on me but I haven't decided what yet."

Kids flocked to O'Brien more than any other player. They were drawn to a black man playing this strange game.

"I feel a rapport there. Everyone is just so warm, I don't know if it is because of my African heritage or just because I am here, but they are so friendly," he said.

"In a way, I am sometimes envious of the kids in these townships. They don't have material things but I really feel like — and it is the same in Brazil in the favelas, it is something I am jealous of — it is the sense of community. I barely know my next-door neighbour and just to see all the kids out playing on the street, there is a massive difference in that sense of community and sense of belonging and it is something that I really am jealous of.

"Sometimes, it is easy to forget why you play the game but to come here, it is a really good experience and reminder of why you play the game when you see the passion of the kids.

"I just feel so excited to be here and to be here with Collingwood as well and to see footy being played by the kids in a country that has been through so much. It is very emotional."