Espanyol snap up Lacruz

Espanyol have completed the signing of Athletic Bilbao defender Jesus Maria Lacruz.

Lacruz was informed that he was surplus to requirements by manager Javier Clemente, who has since left the club, but new boss Felix Sarriugarte has also chosen to show the 28-year-old the door.

Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde has seen the availability of Lacruz as an ideal opportunity to continue his summer spending, as the Parakeets look to avoid repeating their near-relegation last season.

The fee of ‚é¼300,000 (£205,000) is something of a bargain, as the experienced defender recently signed a new contract with Bilbao, which included a buy-out clause of ‚é¼25 million (£17.2 million).

Lacruz has signed a three-year-deal with the Catalan outfit.

The Parakeets look set to add to their summer spending and negotiations with AZ Alkmaar's Denny Landzaat and Sunderland's Julio Arca are ongoing.