Rio de Janeiro, Aug 29 (IANS): Former Italy international midfielder Cristian Ledesma has agreed to join Brazilian club Santos, according to media reports.
The 32-year-old, a free agent after ending his nine-year spell at Lazio this summer, will earn a monthly salary of $50,000, reports Xinhua.
Santos were also understood to be chasing Queens Park Rangers midfielder Sandro, Liverpool's Lucas Leiva and Boca Juniors' Fernando Gago.
"Ledesma's arrival means the club has finally signed a renowned defensive midfielder," Santos said in a statement on Friday.
Born in Argentina, Ledesma was Lazio's most experienced player last season and left the club with 318 first-team appearances.
Santos are currently 11th in Brazil's 20-team Serie A standings with seven wins, six draws and seven losses this season.