(NELLA FOTO: Zapata in action in Milan-Udinese 4-4, January, 2011)
MILAN – AC Milan communicate to have signed Cristian Zapata from Villareal CF on loan with the right to buy.
This was the written statement published today by Milan on their official website at 5.25pm.So, Zapata, an important element in Udinese’s Champions League adventures these past seasons, has come to reinforce the Rossoneri squad.
The central defender who prefers to play on the right side is Colombian, like Mario Yepes. The 25-year-old took the first steps in his career in the youth ranks of Deporivo Cali, and having impressed was selected to play for the Colombia youth teams.  At 19 Udinese took him to Italy’s north east, where he made his debut at the Friuli stadium on November 19th, 2005 against Messina. His first goal in Serie A came in December of the same year, against Sampdoria. After 190 official appearances and five goals scored for Udinese, in the summer of 2011, the same summer Udinese sold two other key players, Inler and Sanchez, Zapata was bought by Villarreal. He played as a starter throughout the season, both in central defence and as right back.  As of today, following 36 official matches with the Spanish Yellow Submarine, Zapata is a Milan player.