De la Peña seals Spanish return
Thursday, August 29, 2002
Article summary
Iván de la Peña has signed a one-year contract with RCD Espanyol, the Spanish club said on Thursday.
Article body
Former S.S. Lazio player Iván de la Peña has signed a one-year contract with RCD Espanyol, the Spanish first division club said on Thursday.
Free transfer
The 26-year-old midfield player, whose contract with the Italian side came to a close at the end of last season, arrives at the Barcelona-based club on a free transfer.
Surplus to requirements
De la Peña began his career at Espanyol's city rivals FC Barcelona in 1995 when Johan Cruyff was in charge and he soon became a favourite with the fans. But he fell out of favour after Cruyff's departure in 1996 and finally moved to Lazio for €16.2m in 1998 after new coach Louis van Gaal deemed him surplus to requirements.
Rome return
He failed to make his mark at the Serie A club and was loaned out to Olympique de Marseille and his old side Barcelona before returning to Rome last season.