Colombian international soccer defender Cristian Zapata signed with Italian side AC Milan on a season-long loan Wednesday.
Zapata, 25, moved from Spain’s Villarreal on loan to Serie A team AC Milan with the option to be signed permanently next summer, according to Fifa.
A statement on AC Milan’s official website said; “As of today, following 36 official matches with the Spanish Yellow Submarine, Zapata is a Milan player.”
The Colombian defender moved to Villarreal last summer on a five-year deal. However, his team was relegated from La Liga at the end of last season.
Zapata, who has 15 caps for his country, plays comfortably both in the center and on the flanks. He has joined AC Milan in the wake of Thiago Silva’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain.
Villarreal, meanwhile, have signed Olof Melberg, former Aston Villa and Juventus defender to replace the Colombian.