Former Arsenal hotshot joins Braga

Atletico Madrid midfielder Fran Merida has joined Sporting Braga on season-long loan, the Portuguese club have announced on their official website.

Following the arrivals of Eduardo Salvio, Gabi, Tiago and Arda Turan, Atletico Madrid have decided to farm out Fran Merida on loan to Braga.

The former Arsenal midfielder is looking to kick-start his career in Portugal and persuade his parent club that he is good enough to hold on to a starting place at Vicente Calderon.

The product of Barcelona youth school was snatched by Arsenal in 2005 and despite being considered one of the hottest prospects in Spanish football, he went on to play just 16 games for the Gunners before joining Atletico Madrid on free last summer.

The 21-year-old featured in 27 games for Atletico last term, but the club later decided that a season-long loan would best aid his development.