Valencia sign midfielder Moriba on loan from Leipzig

RB Leipzig midfielder Ilaix Moriba has joined Valencia on loan until the end of the season, the Spanish side announced on Friday, five months after he joined the German club for 16 million euros ($17.84 million).

The 19-year-old joined Leipzig from Barcelona in August last year, but has failed to impress in Germany, making just six appearances across all competitions.

Valencia are 10th in LaLiga, seven points off the top four, and the club will be hoping that Moriba's signing provides the push needed for them to climb back into contention for European football.

"Now that I'm here, I have to perform to my best and give my all, in order to put Valencia CF where the club has always been," Moriba said.

Moriba, who has been capped by Guinea five times, came through Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, but a breakdown in negotiations over a new contract saw him leave the club in acrimonious circumstances.

He could face his former employers when Valencia host them in a league fixture on Feb. 20.

($1 = 0.8967 euros)

(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby Davis)