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Brazilian international Elias has joined Sporting Lisbon, penning a five year deal with the club.

The 26-year-old completed his €8.85 million move from Atletico Madrid yesterday, less than a year after his arrival in Spain.

The former Corinthians man found first team football slightly harder to come by than he had expected in the Spanish capital, and revealed that staying in Brazil boss Mano Menezes plans was played a major role in his decision to start afresh.

"Sporting allows me to continue to have visibility, so I continue to earn the confidence of the coach (Mano Menezes),” he told his new club’s official club website yesterday.” “It is a club that is always in European competition and they fight for first place in the Portuguese championship.”

He will be joined at his new club by Argentinian left-back Emiliano Insua. The 22 year-old former Liverpool and Boca Juniors man completed his move this past weekend, also agreeing a five year deal.

"I am delighted and can't wait to start training and playing,” he said. “Sporting is one of the big Portuguese clubs and is recognized for training players. The club is looking to win and win titles. I will give everything for Sporting.”

With Elias departing, Atleti have replaced him with one of his Brazilian compatriots. Former Santos playmaker Diego has completed a one-year loan move from German outfit Wolfsburg.

And he's not the only Brazilian who is on the move today. With the European transfer deadline fast approaching, a number of deals have been completed before the 23.00pm deadline.

Fenerbache’s Andre Santos has moved to Arsenal and could be joined in North London by Leandro Damiao, with Tottenham still hoping they might be able lure the Internacional striker to White Hart Lane.

Elsewhere, Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates has completed his move to Liverpool while Diego Forlan has sealed a switch to Serie A with Inter, Newell’s Old Boys defender Ignacio Fideleff could be a Napoli player by the end of the day and Chelsea are reported to be continuing their pursuit of Porto’s Alvaro Pereira.