Chennai: Chennaiyin FC is delighted to announce the signing of Indian midfielder Gilbert Oliveira.

Gilbert joins Chennaiyin FC on loan from I-League club Salgaocar and will be available for Chennaiyin’s away encounter against Atletico de Kolkata at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.

25-year-old Gilbert replaces Dhanapal Ganesh in Chennaiyin FC’s 2015 ISL squad as Dhanapal is ruled out of the tournament with an ACL injury.

Gilbert came through the youth system of Salgaocar and has been a regular member of their I-League squad in the last five seasons. The wide midfielder recently captained Salgaocar in the Goa Pro League.

A former I-League and Federation Cup winner, Gilbert has also played in the AFC Cup and will wear the number 37 jersey of Chennaiyin FC. Until now the man from Goa has spent his entire professional career at Salgaocar.

“I would like to thank Chennaiyin FC for giving me my first chance in the ISL. We are entering the business end of the league stage now so I will try to do my best and help Chennaiyin reach the semis,” Gilbert said.

Commenting on Dhanapal’s recovery, Chennaiyin FC CEO Ashish Shah said, “We wish Dhanapal a speedy recovery following the successful surgery. It is unfortunate that he won’t able to play for us in this year’s ISL but he will be with us till the end of the ISL and continue his rehabilitation under our guidance.”