RIO DE JANEIRO, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Colombia international defender Pablo Armero has been cleared by Italy's Udinese to join Brazilian giants Flamengo on loan, local news portal Lancenet said on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old is expected to travel to Rio de Janeiro on Thursday to finalize contract details and undergo a medical check.

Armero has spent the past seven months on loan at AC Milan, where he has struggled for first-team football under manager Filippo Inzaghi.

Flamengo manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo is a known fan of the left-back, having coached him at Palmeiras in 2009-10.

Armero, who also had spells at West Ham, Napoli and America de Cali, has been capped 63 times for Colombia.