Espanyol sign Francesco Bardi on loan

Espanyol have announced the signing of Inter Milan goalkeeper Francesco Bardi on a season-long loan deal.

The La Liga side have been in the market for a new stopper since Kiko Casilla returned to Real Madrid earlier this month.

A number of goalkeepers had been linked with a move to Barcelona, but Bardi has now relocated to Spain until the end of the 2015-16 campaign.

It is understood that the deal for the former Italy Under-21 international can be made permanent at the end of the season.

The 23-year-old, who joined Inter in 2011 but has not yet made a first-team appearance for the San Siro outfit, will battle Pau Lopez for the number one spot in the new season.