Transfer latest: Malaga confirm permanent signing of Roque Santa Cruz following Manchester City release

Striker will remain with Spanish club having spent last season on loan from City

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 11 July 2013 15:03 BST
Comments
Roque Santa Cruz celebrates scoring against Atletico de Madrid in a La Liga game
Roque Santa Cruz celebrates scoring against Atletico de Madrid in a La Liga game (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Roque Santa Cruz has joined Malaga on a permanent deal after he was released by Manchester City following the expiration of his contract.

The striker spent last season on-loan at the club having spent the 2011-12 season with fellow Spanish club Real Betis. Santa Cruz was considered major signing by then manager Mark Hughes following the Abu-Dhabi based takeover in 2008, with the £17.5 million transfer taking him from Hughes former club Blackburn Rovers in 2009.

But he failed to make an impact at City, appearing just 20 times and scoring three times during his four-year spell with the side, and he was shipped back to Rovers in 2011 on a loan deal before his moves to Betis and Malaga. His signing equates to nearly £6m per goal for the Citizens.

It represents a good signing for Malaga, who have already seen Isco, Joaquin and Javier Saviola leave the club as well as their manager Manuel Pellegrini, who went in the opposite direction to Santa Cruz has he took up the high-pressured role at the Etihad.

It continues their recruitment drive as they attempt to replace the big names going out the door, with Bobley Anderson, Fernando Tissone and Flavio Nunes already confirmed as joining the club.

Malaga finished sixth last season, but have been banned from the Europa League by Uefa when they became one of the first clubs to fall foul of the new Financial Fair Play rules.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in