Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC have signed 30-year-old Savo Pavićević from Greek side FC Kavala as they bid to bolster a defence left a man short by injury to Brazilian Nivaldo.

Pavićević, who can play in several positions across the back and as a holding midfielder, arrives on a 12-month deal with the option of a two-year extension. Having played for FK Hajduk Kula and FK Vojvodina in Serbia, the 21-cap Montenegrin international spent the 2008/09 season in Germany with FC Energie Cottbus and made 25 league appearances for Kavala in his most recent campaign. Maccabi Tel-Aviv's new No17 will provide useful cover in the absence of Nivaldo, who damaged knee ligaments in a Toto Cup game against Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC at the weekend.