Zapata crosses to Villarreal

Villarreal have signed Colombian defender Cristian Zapata from Serie A side Udinese on a five-year deal.

The 24-year-old centre-back has joined the La Liga outfit for an undisclosed fee as they prepare for Champions League football this campaign.

The Spanish outfit revealed the news on Tuesday with the former Deportivo Cali defender still on international duty at the Copa America.

“Zapata will join up with Villareal CF once the Copa America in Argentina has finished,” a club statement said.

Zapata had a contract with Udinese until mid-2012 but had made it clear he would not extend his stay with the club he joined in 2005.

He said in June he was close to joining English Premier League team Liverpool and that Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich had also declared their interest.

But he will instead head to the Estadio El Madrigal to try and help Juan Carlos Garrido and his side enjoy another successful campaign.

He joins veteran goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez as their second capture of the transfer window.