AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato says Lecce have pulled off a coup in signing Internacional de Porto Alegre midfielder Edinho.

"He is a really great player," Pato told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Edinho's technical ability speaks for itself, but he is also a champion because of his personality.

"He is like an older brother to me. He saw me grow in the Internacional ranks and helped me - he was always there for me and his advice was useful.

"I think that Edinho will have a great career in Serie A. As well as being an inspirational player, he is a great lad who is part of the team.

"In that way he is like Gennaro Gattuso, someone who always raises the morale of the team with the right spirit.

"During the big games it was always him who charged the side and took the microphone on the team coach when it was the right moment for a joke."