Espanyol signs defender Unai Nunez on loan from Celta Vigo

Espanyol has signed central defender Unai Nunez on a season-long loan from Celta Vigo, the La Liga club announced on Thursday.

The 29-year-old, who has one cap for Spain, joins with an option for Espanyol to make the move permanent for a reported fee of around 3 million euros (3.5 million U.S. dollars). Spanish media reports said Espanyol will also pay half of the defender's salary.

Espanyol fought off competition from several La Liga clubs, including Rayo Vallecano, Valencia, Sevilla, Alaves and Osasuna, to sign Nunez, who came through Athletic Club's academy before joining Celta in 2022.

"Everything happened very quickly, we all wanted this to happen," Nunez told the club's website.

"When they got into contact with me, I liked what I heard about the club's project," he added.

After establishing himself at Athletic, Nunez has struggled to secure a regular place since joining Celta. He spent last season on loan, first with Italian club Hellas Verona and then with Valencia after returning to Spain in January.

Nunez's arrival strengthens an Espanyol defense that lost Fernando Calero, who joined newly promoted Malaga earlier this summer.