Rio de Janeiro, Jul 1 (IANS): Former Liverpool and Valencia defender Fabio Aurelio will miss the remainder of the Brazilian Serie A season after suffering a serious knee injury.

The 32-year-old tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee in a collision with a teammate during training Saturday for new club Gremio, reported Xinhua.

It came just a day before he was set to make his debut for the Porto Alegre outfit, which is coached by former Real Madrid and Brazil manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

Gremio medical staff confirmed Aurelio would undergo surgery, possibly next week.

"Everybody knows the prognosis for this type of injury is six months on the sidelines and that means the season is over for him," Gremio's medical director Marcio Bolzoni said in a press conference.

"The incident was pure bad luck and has nothing to do with any previous injury. It's a big shame."

Aurelio signed with Gremio last month after being released by Liverpool, where he played six seasons and made 87 first-team appearances.

He also spent six years at Valencia having joined the Spanish club from Sao Paulo in September 2000.