|
Las Palmas have cancelled the rest of midfielder Sergi Samper's loan deal after he underwent surgery in Barcelona earlier this month. Samper suffered a fractured fibula and ruptured ankle ligaments during his second league appearance of the season against Eibar on Jan. 6 and will not play again this season. "Las Palmas would like to thank Samper for his excellent behaviour and professionalism during his time at the club as well as wishing him luck, both personally and in football," the club said in a statement. Barca agreed to send Samper to Las Palmas on loan for the season last summer but he has had a luckless time with injuries since arriving in Gran Canaria. He injured a calf muscle before even making his debut for the club, ruling him out for a month. And after returning from injury he found a side in crisis amid a number of managerial changes. Manolo Marquez was replaced by Pako Ayestaran, who eventually gave Samper his first minutes at Las Palmas, but Paquito Ortiz, who temporarily replaced Ayestaran, did not use him. The appointment of Paco Jemez looked set to be a springboard for Samper, who made a total of two La Liga starts, with two more and a substitute appearance in the Copa del Rey. Samper, who has a contract at Barcelona until next year, will now remain at the club as he aims to return to full fitness for next season. Having joined the club as six-year-old, he progressed through La Masia and has made 12 first-team appearances, spending last season on loan at Granada.
|
