Velez gets midfielder Gago on 6-month loan

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) -Midfielder Fernando Gago has joined Argentine champion Velez Sarsfield on a six-month loan deal from Valencia.

Valencia announced the deal on its website Thursday, hours before the end of the transfer window.

Gago is an Argentina international who joined Valencia from Roma last year, but his performance has been disappointing through the first half of the Spanish league season.

The 26-year-old Gago played for Boca Juniors before making a move to Real Madrid from 2007-2011.

Velez will hope Gago can strengthen its midfield as it is set to play the Copa Libertadores.