RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Parana Clube have signed Juventus midfielder Matheus Pereira on a six-month loan deal as they prepare for their return to Brazil's Serie A for the first time in more than a decade.

The 19-year-old, who spent the past six months on loan at Bordeaux, could make his debut for his new team against Prudentopolis in the Parana state championship on Saturday, the club said in a statement.

"I'm happy about the possibility of returning to Brazil to dispute the Serie A," the former Corinthians player said. "I'm arriving at a great club which has a great structure. I have been training so I'm ready to play when the coach needs me."

Pereira is yet to make a first team appearance for Juventus, whom he joined from their Italian rivals Empoli last year.

He also struggled for opportunities at Bordeaux, managing just two matches for the French side's B team.

Parana, promoted after finishing fourth in Serie B last year, last played in Brazil's top division in 2007. The 2018 Brazilian Serie A season begins in April.