Melbourne Victory have made their foray back into the Brazilian player market, signing Leandro Love on a one-year loan deal.

The club announced it had completed the signing of the 21-year-old striker from Japanese J-League side Vissel Kobe.

Leandro, who has recently played in the Paulista State Championships in Brazil, is expected to arrive in Melbourne in the next two weeks.

His addition comes after Victory signed three Brazilians last year with mixed results - all have since left the club.

"Leandro really fits the profile of the type of player we try to attract to Melbourne," coach Ernie Merrick said.

"He's young and quick and technically very sound.

"He also likes to take defenders on and that's what we like in our strikers.

"It's important to realise that he's been signed as a backup to the league's two top goal scorers, and he'll need to understand that."

Brazilian midfielder Fred, who moved to DC United in Washington after the grand final win against Adelaide in February, proved the only star player.

Winger Alessandro was regarded as a qualified failure and left the club after failing to agree on a new contract in May, while Claudinho - considered a total flop - departed at the end of last year.

Leandro will miss Saturday's round three pre-season match against Perth Glory in Darwin, with the team to fly to Darwin on Thursday.

Merrick said he was hopeful of having Archie Thompson, who arrived in Australia on Tuesday night following the Socceroos' exit from the Asian Cup, available.

Meanwhile, Grant Brebner will return from injury, while Steve Pantelidis is out (hamstring).

Merrick added that young signing Evan Berger, who's suffering an ankle injury, was expected to be available within the next four weeks.

Victory need a win to keep their chances of qualifying for the final four of the pre-season cup alive. The latest signing takes the total number of players to 20.

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