Atletico Madrid sign Cani on season-long loan from Villarreal

Atletico Madrid announced Wednesday they've signed 33-year-old attacking midfielder Cani on a season-long loan from Villarreal.

Cani, who has been at El Madrigal since 2006, struggled to earn minutes at Villarreal this season, making nine appearances in 17 La Liga fixtures - four of which were as a substitute.

Upon joining Atleti, Cani will likely face a similar situation, as the reigning La Liga champions' midfield is already cluttered with the likes of Koke and Arda Turan.

"He's an experienced player in our League and with a tremendous quality that will increase competitiveness within the group," Atleti's sporting manager Jose Luis Perez Caminero said. "He's used to handling great responsibility and we are very happy with his arrival because we believe he will contribute a lot to the team at this crucial point of the season."