Reyes makes welcome return to Sevilla

Sevilla have confirmed the signing of Jose Antonio Reyes from La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid.

The former Spain international has penned a three-and-a-half-year deal with the club he left to join Arsenal in 2004.

A product of Sevilla’s youth team, Reyes made his debut for the club at the age of 16 and quickly set about establishing himself as one of the most exciting young players in Europe.

He left for Arsenal after four years at the Estadio Roman Sanchez Pizjuan and spent three seasons in north London before returning to Spain in 2007 after agreeing a loan deal with Real Madrid.

However, he ultimately ended up signing for cross-town rivals Atletico the following year. He never really settled at the Vicente Calderon, though and then fell out of favour with Gregorio Manzano this season.

Despite the arrival of Diego Simeone as coach last month, Reyes, who has also been linked with a move to Galatasaray, made it clear to the Argentine that he had his heart set on a return to the club where he had made his name.

Reyes is scheduled to arrive in Seville on Thursday, but it has not yet been confirmed when he will be officially presented to the media.