Brazilian attacking midfielder Nene has left Monaco for Espanyol on a season-long loan.
Winger set to replace Riera in Spain
Brazilian midfielder Nene has left Monaco for Espanyol on a season-long loan deal.
Espanyol, who finished 12th in the Spanish Primera Liga last year, will have an option to buy the 27-year-old at the end of the season.
Nene, a left-sided forward, joined Ligue 1 side Monaco for £5m from Spanish club Real Mallorca last August after earlier spells at Alaves and Celta Viga.
He claimed last month he had been in contact with both Tottenham and Roma, as he looked to move on.
Monaco coach Ricardo said there was always the possibility Nene would leave the club before the close of the summer transfer window on Monday, despite being under contract until 2011.
Nene played in Monaco's second game of the season away at Nantes after missing the season opener at home to Paris St Germian.
But Nene was left out of the 1-1 draw against Caen and was not included in Ricardo's squad for Monaco's 1-0 loss away at Grenoble on Saturday.
Nene scored five goals in 28 appearances at Monaco last season, after netting nine for Celta Viga the previous year which included a goal against Spartak Moscow in the Uefa Cup.
