Figueroa moves to River Plate (20 Jan 2006 01:23 GMT)
Spanish club Villarreal have signed Mexico striker Guillermo Franco and agreed a deal to send Argentina striker Luciano Figueroa to River Plate.
The Argentine-born Franco has moved from Monterrey, joining Villarreal on a three-and-a-half year contract, linking up with coach Manuel Pellegrini who managed the striker when he played for San Lorenzo.
Villarreal have also agreed to sell 50 per cent of the rights for striker Figueroa to River Plate, though some minor details still remain to be clarified, the club reported. Villarreal will retain the other 50 per cent.
Spanish media have reported that Figueroa, an Argentine international, was unhappy at his lack of regular football at the club as he wanted to try to make Jose Pekerman's squad for the FIFA World Cup finals in June.
source : FIFA