Empoli defender Federico Barba joins Stuttgart on loan

Looking to stave off threat of relegation, Stuttgart has signed Empoli centre-back Federico Barba on loan until the end of the season.

Barba, 22, has signed a loan deal with the Bundesliga outfit that includes an option to buy, Stuttgart announced Monday.

A Roma academy product, Barba has appeared in 10 Serie A matches for Empoli this season and one in Coppa Italia on the heels of 18 appearances for the Azzurri last year.

The Eternal City-born Barba also played an influential role in the club's 2013-14 promotion campaign from Serie B.