Betis sign Santa Cruz from Man City on loan

29 August 2011 18:00

Real Betis have signed out-of-favour Paraguay international Roque Santa Cruz from Manchester City on a one-year-loan, the recently promoted Spanish first division side said Monday.

The 30-year-old striker joined Manchester City from Blackburn in 2009 but he returned to Rovers during the second half of last season after struggling to a find a place in the first team.

"After intensive negotiations, the club have been able to close the signing of Roque Santa Cruz, who will play the coming season on loan at Betis," the Spanish club said in a statement.

"A Paraguayan international, Santa Cruz arrives from Manchester City, one of the best teams in England in recent years."

The player spent seven years at German giants Bayern Munich before joining Blackburn in 2007.

Santa Cruz, capped 87 times, was part of the squad which reached the Copa America final this year, but missed the defeat by Uruguay in the final because of injury. He began his career with Olimpia in his homeland.

Betis, last season's Spanish second division champions, began their season with a 1-0 away win over fellow top-flight newcomers Granada on Saturday.

Source: AFP