Real Betis have taken Barcelona right-back Martin Montoya on loan until the end of the season, after a loan spell at Inter Milan did not work out during the first half of 2015-16.
Montoya, 24, was surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou last summer, and made just three Serie A appearances for the San Siro club, but now joins relegation threatened Betis for the next six months.
The former Spain under-23 international had completed a medical in Seville over the weekend, and the move was confirmed via a Betis statement released at Monday lunchtime.
"Real Betis Balompie have recruited to its ranks the right back Martin Montoya," the statement said. "The Barcelona-born player arrives from FC Barcelona on loan for this season."
📣 OFFICIAL | Real Betis signs up Martín Montoyahttps://t.co/zOND9PXmJa pic.twitter.com/zbWp4abI1a
- Real Betis Balompié (@RealBetis_en) February 1, 2016
La Masia graduate Montoya was long seen by many Blaugrana fans and pundits as a likely replacement for Dani Alves as Barca's first choice right-back, but never quite convinced a host of first-team coaches from Pep Guardiola to Luis Enrique of his reliability at the top level.
Betis are currently in 15th place in the La Liga table, having not won any of their last 12 games in all competitions. Montoya is likely to make his debut for Los Verdiblancos in next Sunday's home game against Gary Neville's out-of-form Valencia side.