Braga boost squad with loan duo

SC Braga coach Domingos Paciência has increased his defensive options by signing central defender Kaká on loan from German second division leaders Hertha BSC Berlin until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old Brazilian, otherwise known as Claudiano Bezerra da Silva, has prior experience of Portuguese football having spent two years at Braga's Liga rivals A. Académica de Coimbra from 2006 to 2008. "I'm sure that I have made the right choice," said Kaká, who was one of two new loan arrivals at the club on Thursday along with Portugal Under-21 midfielder Ukra.

Ukra has signed on for an 18-month loan stay from FC Porto, where he has played two league games this term. "I am very excited with this new step in my career," said the 22-year-old, who, like Kaká, will be eligible for Braga's UEFA Europa League tie against KKS Lech Poznań next month. The Portuguese club enter the competition in the round of 32 after finishing third in their UEFA Champions League group before Christmas.