Image:Victor Sanchez Mata: Back in Spain after a seven-month stint in Switzerland
Victor Sanchez Mata has returned to his Catalan roots and penned a three-and-a-half-year contract with Espanyol.
Midfielder returns to Spain in the wake of Neuchatel's troubles
Victor Sanchez Mata has returned to his Catalan roots and penned a three-and-a-half-year contract with Espanyol.
A product of Barcelona's famed academy system, the midfielder rose through the ranks at Camp Nou to become a member of their senior squad.
He was, however, unable to hold down a regular role and was released from his contract in June 2011.
Sanchez accepted an offer from Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax last summer, but has been out of contract since the club saw their playing license revoked.
He has now opted to head home and becomes the second player, after Kalu Uche, to leave Neuchatel for Espanyol.
As well as Sanchez and Uche, the Catalan outfit have also snapped up Philippe Coutinho during the winter transfer window.
"Victor Sanchez Mata, the midfielder from Neuchatel, this morning became Espanyol's third recruit," read a statement released by the club on Tuesday.
