OFFICIAL: Columbian defender Bernardo Espinosa joins Racing Santander on-loan from Sevilla

Racing Santander have completed the loan-signing of Sevilla’s Columbian centre-back Bernardo Espinosa.

The Cantabrian’s had been hoping to sign a central defender before the transfer window closed but as the clock ticked it looked less likely they would find the man they had been searching for.

However, Racing decided to act upon the ‘moral debt’ that they believe Sevilla owe them after the rojiblancos appointed Marcelino Garcia Toral as the man to lead them next season leaving the El Sardinero club without a Coach until Hector Cuper was signed.

Racing sign second Sevilla player of the summer

The transfer represents a good move for all parties as the defender was unlikely to get much playing time with Sevilla as Julien Escude, Martin Caceres, Federico Fazio, Emir Spahic and Alexis Ruano are all ahead of the 22 year-old in the defensive pecking order.

With this in mind, Sevilla allowed Bernardo to move on-loan for free, a requirement for Racing who are just one of many La Liga clubs struggling for money whilst the Andalucians will be hoping they can wreak the benefits of the deal next season.

Bernardo will remain at El Sardinero for the entirety of the 2011-12 season and although Racing have not paid anything for the transfer, they will have to pay if they wish the player to appear against Sevilla.

Espinosa becomes the second player from Los Nervionenses to join Racing on-loan after former Argentina youth international Lautaro Acosta signed on a temporary basis and even enjpoyed a goal-scoring debut in the 4-3 loss at Valencia on the opening day of the season.

OFFICIAL: Christian Romaric pens one-year loan deal with Espanyol

Espanyol have confirmed the loan-signing of Sevilla midfielder Christian Romaric.

The Ivory Coast international will spend this season on-loan at the Cornella El Prat and will sign a three-year contract with the blanc y blau next summer should Espanyol decide to make the loan permanent.

Romaric, who joined Sevilla from French side Lens in 2008, has been linked with a move away from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan all summer following the change of managers, but any potential deals had all fallen through.

Romaric joins Espanyol

Despite arguably his best season at the club last season, the 38-times capped Ivory Coast international was singled out by Marcelino Garcia Toral from the beginning of his reign as a player that could disrupt the harmony of the squad, and was subsequently told he would be sold.

Originally, the 28 year-old looked ready to join Turkish side Trabzonspor in a double-deal with Didier Zokora, but once the Turks found out about the two Ivorians’ behaviour the night before a league match against Barcelona, they opted to only sign the former Tottenham man.

Fellow Turkish side Bursaspor were the next club expected to sign midfielder with a €2 million deal lined up, but the 2009-10 Turkish Super Lig champions pulled out of the deal when it neared completion, citing the transfer fee as the stumbling block.

It appeared Romaric would be forced to remain in Seville until at least January when the transfer deadline day approached and no transfer had been completed, however that is when Espanyol stepped up their interest brought the big Ivorian to Barcelona.

During his time at the club, Romaric made 81 La Liga appearances, with 26 of them coming last season, scoring one goal in each of his three campaigns with Sevilla.

OFFICIAL: Mouhamadou Dabo joins Lyon for €1m

Sevilla defender Mouhamadou Dabo has joined French side Olympique Lyonnais for a fee of €1 million.

The former France Under-21 international only arrived at Los Nervionenses last summer for free from Lyon’s Ligue 1 rivals Saint-Ettiene, but never truly made the right-back spot his own despite injuries to several defenders.

Dabo was a useful player for Gregorio Manzano however as he offered cover for Fernando Navarro at left-back who found himself missing games through suspensions and injuries, but as was the situation with the right-back position, Dabo couldn’t convince the coaching staff he was who should be starting.

The fee involved is €1m now, with a further €800,000 owed depending on the player’s success at the Stade Gerland, whilst Dabo has penned a contract that will last four years.

Dabo returns home as he signs for Lyon

The 24 year-old was often linked with a move to Lyon during his time with Les Verts before joining Sevilla and following his fairly disappointing debut season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, he found himself the subject of interest from Premier League sides Swansea City and Aston Villa, however, no move materialised.

Last season, the Senegal-born French-national made 24 La Liga appearances and played a further eight matches in Europe, but Sevilla saw themselves knocked out on away goals in the first knock-out round of the Europa League by eventual winners FC Porto.

With the departure of Dabo, reports could intensify regarding potential replacements with the transfer window closing in less than 24 hours, however head coach Marcelino may be content with having Coke and Martin Caceres as his designated right-backs for the season.