Manchester City midfielder Manu Garcia has joined newly promoted La Liga club Alaves on a season-long loan.
Garcia, 18, made his first competitive start for City in the FA Cup in February and then made his Premier League debut the following month, but he will now seek to secure more regular football with Alaves.
The club said he would initially join up with their B team in the fourth tier but he is set to then be given opportunities with Mauricio Pellegrino's first-team squad.
FICHAJE ��⚪�� | Manu GarcÃa, calidad y criterio para el centro del campo https://t.co/UUOvEkTkhd pic.twitter.com/nB29QkATsk
- Deportivo Alavés (@Alaves) August 16, 2016
A statement on Alaves' official website read: "Manu is coming here on loan this season with a great desire to show what he can do in LaLiga Santander.
"The player will be signed for Alaves B, although he will play with the first-team."
.@Manugarcia_98 has joined @LaLiga side, @Alaves on a season long loan... Good luck Manu! #mcfc pic.twitter.com/xeO7lrkEOg
- Manchester City (@ManCity) August 16, 2016
Garcia wrote on his personal Twitter account: "Very grateful and full of hope. Now is the time to grow as a player, to work hard and have fun. #GloriousBlessing"
Garcia, who joined City from Sporting Gijon, was the youngest member of the squad Manuel Pellegrini took to North America in May 2015 but did not feature under new boss Pep Guardiola this summer.
The Spaniard, who played in April's FA Youth Cup final loss to Chelsea, is under contract with City until June 2017, according to Reuters.
