Capdevila to return to Espanyol

Benfica left-back Joan Capdevila is set for a return to Espanyol, the club where he began his professional career in 1997.

Europa Press reports that Capdevila will pen a one-year deal at Cornella El-Prat with an option for a further 12 months once the two clubs reach agreement.

The Catalan-born player will become Los Periquitos’ fourth signing of the summer after the additions of Diego Colotto, Sergio Tejera and Wakaso Mubarak, the latter having been a former teammate of Capdevila’s in his final season at Villarreal.

The 34-year-old has been brought in to reinforce the left-hand side of Mauricio Pochettino’s defence after on-loan Didac Vila’s return to Milan at the end of last season.

Capdevila made his La Liga bow with Espanyol during the 1998-99 campaign in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao, leaving the following season to spend a year with Atletico Madrid before moving to Deportivo de La Coruna.

Six years with Depor saw him pick up a Copa del Rey winners medal in 2002 and two Supercopa de Espana titles and, after a switch to Villarreal in 2007, was a member of the Spanish squad that won Euro 2008 and the World Cup one year later.

However, an ill-fated spell at Benfica last season, where he started just five times after falling out of favour with boss Jorge Jesus at the Estadio da Luz, saw his career stall and he will look get it back on track at Espanyol.

Tags Benfica Capdevila
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