Santa Cruz and Weiss to spend season in Spain, Man City confirm

Manchester City have confirmed they have finalised the loan deals for striker Roque Santa Cruz and midfielder Vladimir Weiss to spend the season in Spain.

Real Betis announced yesterday they had struck a deal for Paraguay international Santa Cruz, whose opportunities at City have been limited since Roberto Mancini took over because of injuries and not being in the manager’s plans from the off.

The 30-year-old striker has not featured for City’s first team since November and spent the latter part of last season on loan at former club Blackburn.

Espanyol yesterday said they had agreed an initial agreement to take Weiss on loan and that has now been formalised by City.

The Slovakian has not been in Mancini’s thoughts for some time and spent time out on loan at Bolton in 2009/10 and Rangers for the whole of the last campaign.