Benfica lends Balboa to Cartagena

Benfica has loaned midfielder Javier Balboa to Cartagena, Spanish second division club, by the end of season.

The Spanish midfielder of Guinean origin, signed from Real Madrid last season for four million, but wasn't registered in Benfica's competitions, and was training aside.

Last season, under Quique Flores' command, Balboa had little use, acting in only 344 minutes, distributed by the various competitions, without any goal scored.

The Spanish press had also reported the interests of Cartagena, third-placed in Spanish second division, in Nuno Gomes, but the hiring of the advanced has already been dismissed by the club.

Balboa was also coveted by Rio Ave, but the Equatorial Guinea's player wasn't available to represent the club in Vila do Conde, so headed to the emblem of Murcia region.