DEPOR SNAP UP VETERAN AMAVISCA

The midfielder will join from Racing Santander with the chairman of the recently demoted side, Miguel Angel Diaz deciding to cash in on the player as his contract was due to run out in 2002.

Depor have paid 500 million pesetas (£1.8 million) for the 31-year-old, to fill the left-sided spot on their defence.

Other players linked to that area were Atletico Madrid's Alberto Luque, Barcelona's Boudewijn Zenden and Roger from Espanyol, however, Amavisca has been chosen because of his price.

Javier Irureta, the Depor coach, admitted he was looking for an experienced player like Amavisca, who has played for his country 15 times.

In his domestic career, Amavisca has played for Valladolid (1989-91 and 1992-94), Lleida (1991-92), Real Madrid (1994-98) and Racing from 1998.

With Real the player won two league championships and a Champions League medal.