Whittlesea Ranges have welcomed a Brazilian defender for the 2017 NPL2 West season.
Janiel Silva is a 23-year-old centre-back from Brazilian second-tier side Guarani FC.
He also featured for Moreland United under coach Paul Skoulos before trialling with NPL sides.
Drawing comparisons with namesake Thiago Silva at state Victorian level, he made his unofficial debut in a pre-season friendly for Whittlesea against Bulleen Lions, where he put in a good shift as the Ranges showed a good display against a top-tier outfit in a 2-1 defeat.
Coach Vinko Buljubasic was convinced by his display, which led to a deal being made in the days following.
It is understood a top-tier club was close to signing the Brazilian before deciding to use a Visa spot on an attacking player.
Whittlesea are on a re-build for 2017 after having much of their 2016 squad decimated by departures after a season that almost yielded promotion, with many of those players snapped up by top tier clubs.
Matthew Conversano and Nicholas Scerri have also arrived at Epping Stadium, while Atilla Ofli, George Slefendorfas, Tedros Yabio, Tobias Haegele and Matt Cundari have all departed for 2017.