Scaloni joins Mallorca

Lazio have allowed defender Lionel Scaloni to join Real Mallorca on loan for the rest of the season, with a view to a permanent move. The former West Ham defender had played very little for the Roman club.

No financial terms of the deal were revealed during Scaloni's press presentation on Saturday. He had actually been strongly tipped for a return to Deportivo La Coruna until this week, but Racing were quick to take advantage of a deadlock in negotiations.

The veteran Argentine defender arrived in Rome in July full of enthusiasm, but being sucked into the bottom half of the table combined with the quick exit from Europe and the constant drama surrounding the club even off the field were evidently more than he bargained for. He made just 12 appearances for Lazio to date, only seven of which were as a starter.