Udinese Calcio have announced the signing of Switzerland midfielder Gelson Fernandes on loan from AS Saint-Étienne until the end of the season.

The Serie A outfit have the option to make the deal permanent in the summer for a player who spent the first half of this campaign in the English second tier with Leicester City FC. The 25-year-old, formerly of FC Sion and Manchester City FC, joined St Etienne in 2009 and spent the whole of 2010/11 on loan at AC Chievo Verona, scoring two goals in 29 league outings.

"Playing in Italy was a dream for me last term but unfortunately Chievo did not make the deal permanent, so I'm very happy to be back," the Cape Verde-born player said.

Udinese, who have also signed 23-year-old defender Jean-Alain Fanchone, will face PAOK FC in the UEFA Europa League round of 32, with the first leg taking place at the Stadio Friuli on 16 February.