PLAYER PROFILE

Albert Riera

Position: Midfield

Height: 6'1

Weight: 12st 1lbs

Date of Birth: 1982-04-15 Manacor, Mallorca

Albert Riera

Manchester City completed the loan signing of Espanyol winger Albert Riera in January 2006

The 23-year-old had been keen to link-up with City for some time after failing to secure a regular first-team place at Espanyol following his summer move from Bordeaux.

Citizens boss Stuart Pearce then granted his wish by agreeing a deal which will run until the end of the 2005/06 season, with reports in Spain suggesting that the Premiership side also have an option to buy Riera for £3.5million in the summer.

Pearce told the club's official website: "We tracked him when he was at Bordeaux and last summer he moved to Espanyol.

"We saw the opportunity when things hadn't worked out there to bring him here and he's on loan until the summer.

"If things work out well for him here we might well keep him on beyond that.

"Albert's a naturally left-sided player and gives a natural balance on that side.

"It's another new face into the side and he's of a good age at 23-years-old. We're hoping he'll do well for us."