Leeds United have signed AC Milan's Brazilian international defender Roque Junior on a season-long loan, the English Premiership club said Monday.

Elland Road boss Peter Reid stepped in following Bolton manager Sam Allardyce's failure to land the 27-year-old central defender, who was a member of Brazil's World Cup-winning squad during which he scored a goal.

The deal was completed after the former Palmeiras player received a work permit in time for the closure of the transfer window on Monday.

He will join his new team-mates after first playing in two international matches against Colombia and Ecuador.

Rocque Junior has spent the last three years at the San Siro and won a Champions League winner's medal with them last season.

"He is a World Cup winner and a European Champions League winner and he is a big boost for the squad," said Reid.

"He can play left-back or left centre-half, but is another quality player at the club."

Although Roque Junior becomes the first Brazilian to play for Leeds, Reid believes he will have no problems in adjusting to the way of life in England and Premiership.

"I met him up at the training ground and he's a smashing lad who's always got a smile on his face," added Reid.

"He will just slot straight in because it's not like he's coming directly from South America. He's got that European culture after a few years in Italy."