RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Mineiro has reached an agreement to sign former Atletico Madrid defender Renan Lodi on a free transfer, the Brazilian Serie A club said on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old is due to arrive in Belo Horizonte in the coming days to undergo a medical and sign a five-year contract.

"The signing of the contract and the official announcement will take place after the completion and approval of the medical exams," read a statement on Atletico Mineiro's official website.

Lodi, who has 19 Brazil caps, had been without a club after parting ways with Al-Hilal in September. His nine-year professional career has also included spells at Nottingham Forest, Marseille and Atletico Paranaense.

Atletico Mineiro finished 11th in Brazil's 20-team Serie A standings this year with 12 wins, 12 draws and 14 losses. ■