Saint-Etienne loan Paulao to Real Betis

Brazilian centre-back Paulao has been loaned by Saint-Etienne to Real Betis until the end of the season with an option to buy, the French club announced on Friday.

The 29-year-old arrived in France from Sporting Braga last summer and signed a three-year contract but he has been unable to force his way into Christophe Galtier's first-choice XI, notably due to the emergence of 17-year-old centre-back Kurt Zouma.

Paulao came to Europe in 2006 when he joined Portuguese side Naval.

Real Betis are currently 11th in La Liga.