WEYMOUTH have added some samba flare to their squad by capturing Brazilian defender Marcio dos Santos Gaia.

The experienced centre back has signed a one-year contract along with Pierre Joseph-Dubois, a 20-year-old striker who spent last season with Crawley Town.

Santos Gaia first landed on these shores in August 2002 when he signed for Exeter City.

He made 33 League Two outings during his opening season at St James' Park, which unfortunately saw the Grecians relegated from the Football League.

The South American was then one of the club's leading scorers in 2004-05 with nine goals.

That campaign also saw Santos Gaia feature in both FA Cup third round ties against Manchester United where his side held the Premier League giants to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford before losing the replay 2-0.

The 29-year-old eventually left City in June 2006 and joined Stevenage Borough where he enjoyed FA Trophy success last year.

A loan move to Grays then followed last November, which became a permanent deal in January but another loan switch soon saw him turning out for Halifax Town where he ended up making nine appearances.

Terras' assistant-manager Alan Lewer said: "Santos is an experienced player and when he was at Exeter he scored a lot of goals from set plays.

"Since then he has struggled to settle at the other clubs he has been at but he is excited about coming here and left-sided centre backs are not easy to come by.

"He is the type of player we want right through the spine of our side and with him, Anton Robinson and Stuart Beavon, with Ryan Williams out wide, things are shaping up well."

As for Joseph-Dubois, he began his career at Reading where he progressed through the youth ranks before signing a one-year professional deal in 2006.

Unfortunately he was then released in January 2007, spending the rest of that season at Grays Athletic before joining Crawley last summer.

Terras' boss John Hollins said: "Pierre played against us up at Crawley but he got injured and had to come off after 35 minutes.

"He is a quick forward that can also go out left or right, and we are confident he will prove a valuable addition to the squad."

The Terras are still keeping an eye on developments at Bristol City in regards to keeper Stephen Henderson and they are also in talks with several other players.

Hollins added: "Things are continuing to shape up well and hopefully we will have some more news later in the week.

"We are looking to build quite a young squad with a 19-year-old base alongside a few older heads and I am pleased with the additions we have made so far.

"Two or three clubs are throwing big money around and our budget does not go anywhere near what they are offering but that does not mean we will not be in competition with them on the field because believe me we will be."

The futures of Paolo Vernazza and Michael Malcolm remain in doubt with both players still stalling on offers while James Coutts is expected to sign in the next 24 hours.

* Former Weymouth forward Conal Platt has reportedly joined Forest Green Rovers.