Villarreal sign Dos Santos from Mallorca

Villarreal have announced the signing of Giovani dos Santos from Mallorca on a four-year deal.

The Mexico international was widely expected to join Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side in 2012, as he brought an end to a frustrating four-year spell with Tottenham.

However, Villarreal’s relegation from La Liga meant that he ultimately linked up with Mallorca, for whom he went on to score six goals in 32 appearances during the 2012-13 campaign.

Villarreal sealed their return to the Spanish top flight with a second-placed finish in the Segunda Division last season, and Dos Santos has now completed his long-awaited switch.

“I am very happy to take this step in my career and, eventually, to play for Villarreal, a great club that I was about to join last season but unfortunately could not because of their relegation on the last day,” he told the club’s official website.

“There was a lot of speculation about my future and I wanted to keep out of that, but now that everything has been agreed I want to say it is my dream to join Villarreal and I will contribute in any way I can.

“I am convinced that we will have a great season.”

Dos Santos, who began his career with Barcelona before making an ill-fated move to the Premier League, could not prevent Mallorca from suffering relegation from La Liga last term.

The 24-year-old has 67 senior caps for Mexico.