Moscow: Russian football club Zenit St. Petersburg signed Brazilian midfielder Hernani from Atletico Paranaense on Friday.
Hernani, 22, signed a five-year contract with the team, currently occupying second place in the Russian league, reports Efe.
The Brazilian played this season 30 games and scored six goals for Paranaense.
With the new signing, Zenit's Romanian head coach Mircea Lucescu wanted to strengthen the midfield, especially after the imminent departure of Belgian Axel Witsel, who has agreed in principle with Italian football champions Juventus, the Russian press reported on Friday.