The Brazilian signed on deadline day from Inter Milan and there were already right-sided full-back options at City in Micah Richards - recently sidelined by an ankle injury - and Pablo Zabaleta, and a vivid memory for many English football fans is the sight of Maicon, now 31, being given a torrid time two years ago by Tottenham's Gareth Bale in the Champions League.
But Vieira, who joined City from Inter in 2010 and retired last summer, said: "Maicon is a fantastic player. I spent a few years with him at Inter and he has experience and talent."
He added: "He has the ambition to be part of the Brazilian national team for the World Cup. It is something really important for him and I am sure he will bring a lot to this football club. He is a fantastic character to have around too."
Maicon was one of five new signings whose deals were tied up by City on the final day of the transfer window, with Scott Sinclair, Javi Garcia, Matija Nastasic and Richard Wright being the four other late arrivals.
Some of the quintet may be in line to make their City debuts in Saturday's Barclays Premier League away game at Stoke, and with Jack Rodwell having also joined over the summer, Vieira feels Blues boss Roberto Mancini has made some exciting additions to his squad.
The 36-year-old former France international said: "I think we all know we are talking about quality players - Sinclair, Rodwell, Garcia, Maicon - and we just hope they are going to settle as soon as possible.
"Maicon has the experience of winning the Italian league and the Champions League and to have him at the football club is fantastic.
"Sinclair is a young, talented player and hopefully coming to City will help him get to another level.
"Rodwell has already played and has done really well so far, and Garcia is also a young talent - it is exciting to have these players at the club."
Source: PA
Source: PA