Rio de Janeiro, Apr 7 (IANS): Former Standard Liege centre-back Victor Ramos has joined Chapecoense on loan as the tragedy-stricken Brazilian football club reinforces its squad for the Copa Libertadores.

The 27-year-old former Brazil Under-20 international is contracted to Mexico's Monterrey but has spent the past two seasons on loan at Palmeiras and Vitoria, Xinhua news agency reported.

Chapecoense will have the option of securing Ramos on a permanent deal when his loan expires in December.

"We have been talking for quite some time and we agreed to the last few details yesterday," Chapecoense football director Rui Costa said.

"He still has to undergo a medical but the deal has been agreed by all parties."

Chapecoense lost 19 players and all of their coaching staff in the tragic plane crash in November 2016 that claimed the lives of 71 people and left just six survivors.

The team from southern Brazil are this year playing in the Copa Libertadores -- South America's top club competition -- for the first time.

They are currently last in their four-team group with a win and a loss from their first two matches.