Bhubaneswar, Aug 31 (IANS): Odisha FC on Monday announced the signing of striker Diego Mauricio ahead of the seventh edition of the Indian Super League. The Brazilian has signed a one-year contract with the Bhubaneswar-based side.

The 29-year-old striker has the experience of playing at many top football leagues around the world.

He made his senior club debut for Brazil's Flamengo in 2010 where he linked up with football legend Ronaldinho. He has played for other Brazilian teams like Sport Club do Recife, Bragantino and Centro Sportivo Alagoano.

The Rio de Janeiro-born forward was part of Brazil's U-20 squad and played in a team that had superstars like Phillipe Coutinho, Casemiro, Oscar, Felipe Anderson, Firmino and the mercurial Neymar.

He has also travelled around the world playing in South Korea for Busan IPark and Gangwon FC, Saudi Arabia for Al Qadisiyah, Portugal for Vitoria FC, Russia for FC Spartak Vladikavkaz and China for Shijiazhuang Ever Bright FC.

Welcoming Mauricio at OFC, head coach Stuart Baxter said, "We are delighted to secure the services of Diego. He is a player who can both combine with his teammates and also create chances on his own. When he gets to know the squad he will be a major asset for us."

After signing for Odisha FC, the striker said: "I am very excited to have joined Odisha FC and I look forward to work with coach Stuart Baxter. I have heard and read a lot of interesting things about the young Indian players at Odisha FC, the Juggernauts and India as a country. This project excites me a lot and I am coming with the aim to win the league."