Elche have announced the signature of Atletico Madrid midfielder Ruben Perez on a season-long loan.
The 24-year-old spent last term on a similar arrangement with Real Betis, where he made 25 La Liga appearances, and boss Pepe Mel was originally understood to have wanted to extend the arrangement for another 12 months.
However, Mel has been impressed with the form of youngster Carlos Garcia in pre-season training and has reluctantly decided to discount the option of keeping Perez, who was also wanted by Villarreal.
Although still an Atletico player, Perez has spent the last three years out on loan having also had spells with Deportivo de La Coruna and Getafe, and completes newly-promoted Elche’s list of central midfielders alongside Alberto Rivera, David Generelo and Sergio Mantecon.
