Lazio loans Mendieta to Middlesbrough

MILAN (Reuters) -- Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta will join English premier league side Middlesbrough on a one-season loan from Lazio, the Italian club said on Tuesday.

Lazio said in a statement they had reached an agreement with Middlesbrough on the loan which also gives the English team the option to sign Mendieta on a permanent transfer at the end of the season.

Midfielder Mendieta joined Lazio from Valencia two seasons ago but after failing to impress with the Rome club he was loaned out to Barcelona last season.

He was unable to do enough to earn a long-term deal with the Catalan club and returned to Lazio although it was clear that he did not figure in the plans of coach Roberto Mancini.

Mendieta, part of the Spain squad which reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup last year, was an influential part of the Valencia side which reached successive Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001 with his skilful play on the right flank winning him many admirers.

But he struggled at Lazio, never adjusting to the different demands of Serie A and his move to England will give him the chance to get his career back on track.

Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.