Alavés strengthen backline
Thursday, January 31, 2002
Article summary
Deportivo Alavés have signed Argentinian defender Gustavo Lombardi on a free transfer.
Article body
Spanish title chasers Deportivo Alavés have signed Argentinian defender Gustavo Lombardi on a free transfer from Club Atlético River Plate in his homeland.
Italian citizenship
The 26-year-old, who has Italian citizenship, has experience of European football after spells with English FA Premiership side Middlesbrough FC and Spanish second division outfit UD Salamanca.
Waved money owed
The signing was confirmed by the Primera División high-flyers on Thursday after Lombardi, who had been on loan at Club Atlético Independiente, completed negotiations with his former club. He was released from his contract in exchange for waiving €290,000 owed him by the cash-strapped Argentinian side.
Deportivo next
Alavés, beaten finalists in last season's UEFA Cup, are currently in fifth position in the Spanish top flight, four points behind leaders Real Madrid CF, who have collected 40 points from 22 games. José Manuel Esnal's side face a difficult-looking trip to third-placed RC Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday.
