Berlin, Jan 30 (IANS): Hannover have reinforced their squad with the signing of defender Joao Pereira, the German football club confirmed.

The Portuguese international joined from Spanish side Valencia Thursday, putting pen to paper on a contract until 2015, reports Xinhua.

"We wanted to sign an additional right-back for the second half of the campaign. Joao Pereira is an experienced player with great skills who can help us at short notice," Hannover's coach Tayfun Korkut said.

The 30-year-old right-back, whose full name is Joao Pedro da Silva Pereira, played two years at Valencia, making 54 appearances. He has won 40 international caps for Portugal.

"His international experience speaks for himself. Joao Pereira was part of Portugal's squad at the 2014 World Cup and the EURO 2012, he played in the Champions League and in the Europa League, plus, he made overall 230 appearances in Portugal's and Spain's top flight," Hannover's manager Dirk Dufner said.

Hannover sit currently in eighth position of the Bundesliga standings.