Pearce clinches midfielder Riera on season loan

MANCHESTER City have signed Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera on loan until the end of the season.

City boss Stuart Pearce has the option of buying the player, who joined Espanyol from Bordeaux last summer and previously played with Mallorca, for £3.5 million (€5 million).

The left-sided Riera, aged 23, has started just four games this season, three of those in the UEFA Cup.