Lacina Traore swaps Moscow for Gijon

Ivorian forward Lacina Traore is swapping the frigid cold of Moscow for the sunny sights of the Bay of Biscay, joining La Liga side Sporting Gijon on loan until the end of the season.

Traore, 26, who is on Monaco’s books since a move from new-money Russians Anzhi Makhachkala in 2014, enlists with the relegation-threatening Andalusians on the last day of the January window according to a statement on Gijon’s website.

“The striker already completed all the paper work that links him to the Club until the end of the season,” the statement read. “Although he still need to complete the medical test.”

(Courtesy: @RealSporting)

Traore’s addition will be music to the ears of Gijon boss Rubi, whose side has lacked in goal-scoring this season.

The club is fourth-worst in the Spanish top flight with 20 goals for, and sits 18th, five points adrift of Leganes and La Liga safety. The Andalusians will need all the help it can get.