RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian Serie A giants Fluminense have appointed former Palmeiras boss Roger Machado as their new manager on a two-year contract.

The 45-year-old, a former left-back who earned one Brazil cap in 2001, will officially assume the role after Fluminense's final match of the Brazilian Serie A season against Fortaleza on Thursday.

"The new head coach will be presented to the media on Saturday [Feb. 27], when contractual details and his backroom staff will be confirmed," read a Fluminense statement on Tuesday.

Fluminense have been searching for a manager since sacking Odair Hellmann in December. The four-time Brazilian Serie A champions have since been led on an interim basis by Marcao Oliveira.

The Rio de Janeiro outfit have not lost in their past eight league outings and are currently fifth in the 20-team league standings. They are already guaranteed a place in the next edition of the Copa Libertadores regardless of the result against Fortaleza.

Machado, whose managerial career also included spells in charge of Gremio and Atletico Mineiro, has been out of work since parting ways with Bahia last September. Enditem