FC Lokomotiv Moskva have signed Slovenia defender Branko Ilič as a free agent while enlisting Maicon from Brazilian side Fluminense FC on the eve of the new Russian season.

The 20-year-old Maicon, a versatile forward, scored twice in 34 league games in Brazil and has signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Lokomotiv, who have also paid his club an undisclosed fee. He is expected to compete with Dmitri Sytchev and Peter Odemwingie for a place in the Railway Boys' forward line.

Ilič, meanwhile, will provide cover for central defenders Rodolfo and Sergei Yefimov, both of whom will be out of action until the summer at least. The 27-year-old former NK Olimpija, NK Domžale and Real Betis Balompié player was without a club following FC Moskva's withdrawal from the top flight. Loko, who will compete in the 2010/11 UEFA Europa League, kick off their season away to Russian champions FC Rubin Kazan on Sunday.