Sharjah have drafted in former Al Nasr captain Leo Lima on a season-long loan to take the place of seriously injured compatriot Fellype Gabriel in the club’s foreign-player quota.

Lima, 32, will join up with his new team-mates on Saturday at their training camp in Germany.

The move for the Brazilian follows the cruciate ligament tear suffered by fellow midfielder Gabriel last week during a friendly against Qatar’s Al Arabi, which is expected to keep him sidelined for the duration of the upcoming campaign.

“I am saddened by the injury of Fellype,” coach Paulo Bonamigo said. “Lima was chosen from among four players, but he is the closest to harmony with the players because of his experience in the UAE.”

Lima joined Nasr in 2010, scoring 15 goals in 81 top-flight appearances. He also led the Blue Wave to last term’s GCC Club Cup, scoring a penalty in the 2-1 final victory against Saham.