Carlos Bacca returns to La Liga with Villarreal on loan from AC Milan with option to make move permanent

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Villarreal have landed Colombian striker Carlos Bacca on loan for the season from AC Milan, replacing the departed Roberto Soldado who joined Fenerbahce last week.

Bacca, who signed for Milan in 2015 after two seasons at Sevilla, was the Serie A side's standout player during a disappointing season.

'The deal includes an option to buy the player once the campaign is finished,' Villarreal said in a statement.

Villarreal have completed the season-long loan signing of Carlos Bacca from AC Milan

Bacca is all smiles after completing his medical at the La Liga club's training ground

Bacca has scored 165 goals in 336 games in his career, with 13 in 39 coming for Milan last season.

The 30-year-old completed his medical on Wednesday and told the club's website: 'I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to arrive to a great club like Villarreal.

'I want to send a special salute to all the club fans.'

The Colombian started his football career playing for the Atletico Junior youth teams going on to play for Barranquilla, Minerven before moving to Europe in 2012 to join Club Brugge.

Bacca had been linked with Arsenal, Everton, Lazio and former club Sevilla this summer

The Colombian replaces the departed Roberto Soldado who moved to Fenerbahce last week

Bacca shone in the Belgium top flight, scoring 28 goals in 45 appearances in his only season to seal a switch to Sevilla. He will wear the No 9 at Villarreal.

Sergio Barila, the striker's agent, told ESPN: 'Bacca is in a situation where both he and his club are interested in looking at an option where he can play, be in a good league and La Liga is a very good offer.

'Any club that has been in the market for a player to score goals, of course they have monitored Bacca,' Barila added. 'He has been lucky to receive many offers this summer but he made it very clear to which club and which league he wanted to play in.

'He wants to go to a club that will count strongly on him. He wants to have a good season and arrive at the World Cup in Russia in the best possible way. Now we just hope that his future can be resolved as soon as possible.'

Villarreall will hope Bacca can replicate his blistering form of two seasons with Sevilla