Venezuela's Deportivo Lara forward Jaime Moreno (L) vies for the ball with Brazil's Cruzeiro defender Orejuela (R), during their Copa Libertadores football match at the Metropolitan stadium in Barquisimeto, Venezuela on April 23, 2019. (YURI CORTEZ / AFP)

RIO DE JANEIRO - Gremio have secured Colombia international right-back Luis Manuel Orejuela on a season-long loan from their Brazilian Serie A rivals Cruzeiro.

The Porto Alegro outfit will have the option of signing the 24-year-old on a permanent contract in December, according to a statement published on the club's official website.

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"(We) were able to overcome competition for Orejuela from other big Brazilian clubs," Gremio said, in reference to reported interest in the defender from Flamengo and Palmeiras.

Orejuela, who has been capped four times for Colombia's national team, made 23 Serie A appearances for Cruzeiro in 2019 after joining the club last January from Dutch giants Ajax.

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He is expected to be available for Gremio's first official match of 2020 - a home duel against SER Caxias do Sul in the Gaucho championship on Wednesday.