Santi exits Atletico

Defender Santi has left Atletico Madrid to join Primera rivals Albacete.

The 30-year-old ends a ten-year stint at the Vicente Calderon by returning to former club Albacete.

The stopper - who was the last remaining member of Atletico's double-winning squad in 1996 - has been a peripheral figure this term and will now look to kick-start his career in the second half of the season.

He admitted he was sad to be leaving Atletico, and insisted he would always consider the capital club as his true home.

"This is a 'so long'," Santi told a press conference.

"Atletico will always be my home. Right now a lot of memories are coming into my head, but I will always remember the night we won the league against Albacete most fondly.

"For me it's been an honour to come to this team, to have been here for almost ten seasons, and above all to have completed my dream from childhood - to play for Atletico Madrid."

Meanwhile, Nigerian midfielder Abas Lawal has left Albacete to join Segunda Division outfit Xerez.

Lawal endured a difficult time since joining Albacete 18 months ago and was dogged by injury last term.

He has now annulled his contract and will be hoping to relaunch his career at Xerez.