PETALING JAYA: Negri Sembilan have stepped up the pace for the Premier League title by snapping up Brisbane Roar flanker Henrique Silva from the Australian League (A-League).

The 31-year-old Brazilian-Australian, with over 136 appearances for the club since 2009, will be making his debut against Perlis in Kangar on July 15.

Negri team manager Satwant Singh said they were impressed with their new second-window signing, who is expected to boost their campaign to win promotion to the Super League.

“We’re leaving no stone unturned in our bid to win promotion. We’re all excited by Henrique’s arrival. He is a high-profile player and fan favourite back at home. He is small, nippy and very sharp with the ball,” said Satwant.

Negri will be making two changes during the second transfer window and they have Frenchman Goran Jerkovic attending trials.

Satwant said that they’ve decided to drop two foreign players, whose names will be announced by the management soon.

Negri are coached by Gary Philips, who guided Sabah from 2009 to 2011. Negri signed four foreigners at the start of the season – defender Taylor Reagan (Australia), midfielders Alex Smith (England) and Andrew Nabbout (Australia) and striker Joel Chianese (Australia).

Negri last won a silverware – the Malaysia Cup – in 2011. They were relegated to the Premier League in 2013.

Last season, they finished fifth in the Premier League and were first-round casualties in the FA Cup.

Negri are second in the 12-team Premier League standings with 25 points from 12 matches. They are ahead of JDT II and Kuala Lumpur on better goal difference.

Malacca lead the standings with 27 points.