By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: <a href='http://bit.ly/lRx0Da' class='instorylink'>@skygraemebailey</a>
Wednesday 8 August 2012 18:58, UK
Image:Cristian Zapata: Has joined Milan
AC Milan have signed Colombian international defender Cristian Zapata on loan from Villarreal.
Colombian seals loan move
AC Milan have signed Colombian international defender Cristian Zapata on loan from Villarreal.
The relegated Yellow Submarines have sanctioned Zapata's move back to Italy just 12 months after he joined them from Udinese.
The 25-year-old will now spend the next season with Milan, who have the option to make the deal permanent.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri was pleased to have secured his signing.
"Zapata can help us in the central defence and on the full-back positions," he said.
"I spoke with the board about him and we decided to sign him.
"With the arrival of Zapata, our transfer market is almost closed."
Villarreal wasted little time in replacing Zapata, confirming the signing of Swedish veteran Olof Mellberg from Olympiakos.
