Barcelona defender Martin Montoya joins Real Betis on loan

Barcelona defender Martin Montoya has joined Real Betis on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Spaniard swapped Barcelona for Inter Milan at the start of the 2015-16 campaign and had been expected to remain in Italy until next summer.

The right-back struggled for first-team football in Serie A, however, and will now continue his career with Betis, who currently sit 15th in the La Liga table.

"I come with great ambition and great desire to play again and feel like a footballer. I am very pleased to come to a great club like Real Betis," the 24-year-old told Betis' official website after completing his move on transfer deadline day.

Montoya, who was once strongly linked with a move to Liverpool, has been with Barcelona since 1999 and has made almost 70 first-team appearances for the Catalan outfit, including 24 during the 2012-13 season.