Genoa are to sign Schalke's Brazilian defender Rafinha on a four-year deal.

The 24-year-old joined the Royal Blues in 2005 from Coritiba in his homeland, and went on to play 153 Bundesliga games.

He will follow the likes of Kevin Kuranyi, Heiko Westermann and Marcelo Bordon in leaving Schalke this summer.

He's having a medical, the conclusion of the deal is a question of hours. A contract of four years is ready for him, he will train with us tomorrow.
Enrico Preziosi, Genoa president

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi confirmed the right-back will pen a four-year contract later today.

"He's having a medical, the conclusion of the deal is a question of hours," Preziosi told Sky Italia. "A contract of four years is ready for him, he will train with us tomorrow."

Rafinha will become Genoa's fifth signing of the summer following Luca Toni, Eduardo, Miguel Veloso and on-loan Hoffenheim midfielder Franco Zuculini.