Official: Ciani joins Espanyol

Espanyol have announced the signing of defender Michael Ciani on a two-year contract, less than a month after joining Sporting CP.

In a surprise twist, the centre-back will no longer honour his two-year deal with the Portuguese giants, instead seeing it effectively transferred over to Los Periquitos.

Ciani, 31, complements a new-look Espanyol backline, which has already been bolstered by Enzo Roco and Antonio Raillo.

He is now expected to be presented at Cornella-El Prat on Monday after successfully undergoing a medical.

Capped once by France, Ciani has also represented the likes of Bordeaux, Lorient, Sedan, Charleroi and Lazio, who he had played for until last season.