Canada's Buchanan joins Villarreal on loan from Inter
Villarreal signed Canadian international Tajon Buchanan on loan from Inter Milan, the Italian club announced Saturday.
The loan will cost €1 million, and the Spanish club will have an option to make the signing permanent for an additional €13 million, according to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport Italia.
Buchanan didn't start a Serie A match for Inter this season prior to his departure.
The 25-year-old fractured his tibia last summer during a training session while on international duty with Canada at the Copa America and found playing time limited since returning. The versatile wide player made six league appearances off the bench this season, for a total of 95 minutes, as wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco continue to be key pillars of Simone Inzaghi's team.
Buchanan's serious injury came just months after he moved to Italy from Club Brugge in a deal worth an initial €7 million.
Buchanan, who can play as a wing-back or a more traditional winger, has made 43 appearances for Canada. He started all three of the nation's group matches at the 2022 World Cup.
He'll likely compete for minutes at Villarreal with Yeremy Pino on the right side of the team's four-man midfield.
Villarreal sit fifth in La Liga.