La Liga Transfer Deadline Day 2012: Spain’s Best Try To Strengthen Themselves

The 33-year-old central defender moves to Racing just one year after joining Rangers because of the club’s bankruptcy. Bocanegra was never going to stay with the club in the third division, but it was never clear where he would go. While certainly older, he is still a serviceable player who has drawn nothing but rave reviews in the dressing room so it seemed a little bit odd that he wasn’t linked to more clubs, even if midtable clubs in second tier leagues.

Santander is certainly an interesting choice for Bocanegra. The club could certainly use him after losing their first two matches, but you would figure that Bocanegra could do better than a team not expected to be promoted from the second divison.

Santa Cruz spent the 2011-12 season at Real Betis, making 33 appearances and scoring seven goals for the Béticos. It had appeared he would return there this season, but Pellegrini got his attention and convinced the Paraguayan striker to help beef up his side as they prepare for the Champions League group stages.

The two clubs were able to agree on the particulars of a loan deal for Santa Cruz and he was in Malaga today undergoing a medical and finalizing the deal. Sky Sports has reported that the medical is complete and that the deal is all but done.