Salva savours Atlético return

Loan spells
Salva left the Spanish capital three years ago to sign a six-year contract with Valencia in an €8.5m transfer. However, he failed to establish himself at the Mestalla and had a brief loan spell at English side Bolton Wanderers FC in the 2002/03 campaign before spending the whole of last season with Málaga CF, where he scored 19 goals in 34 league games.

Glad to be back
The 29-year-old rejoined Valencia for their pre-season preparations but new coach Claudio Ranieri made it clear that Salva did not feature in his plans. "Atlético have always treated me very well and I am really happy to be here once again," he said.

Intertoto action
The former Sevilla FC and Real Racing Club Santander forward, capped three times by Spain, will not be eligible to play for Atlético in Tuesday's UEFA Intertoto Cup final second leg against Spanish rivals Villarreal CF. However, should Atlético overturn a 2-0 deficit in the home leg, then Salva could represent them in the UEFA Cup.