RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Flamengo have agreed in principal with Brazilian rivals Gremio to sign former Manchester City midfielder Elano.

"We have reached an agreement with Gremio, but we are only going to confirm it when the player arrives," Flamengo's executive director Paulo Pelaipe told reporters on Tuesday.

Elano, 32, has played the past two seasons with Gremio after joining the Porto Alegre club from Santos.

The playmaker has represented Brazil 50 times and scored twice in two matches during the 2010 World Cup before suffering an ankle injury.

"He has plenty of experience and is a person of great character, somebody who will be good for the dressing room."