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Barcelona full-back Douglas joins Sporting Gijon on loan

Barcelona have confirmed that right-back Douglas has joined fellow La Liga side Sporting Gijon on a season-long loan.

Barca said Sporting, who avoided relegation on the final day of the last campaign, are obliged to play Douglas regularly while he is at El Molinon, although the specific details were not revealed.

A statement issued by the Catalan club on Friday read: "Sporting have made a contractual agreement that the player will be actively involved in the team during his loan year."

Douglas, 26, joined Barca for €5.5 million two years ago from Sao Paulo and has played eight times for the first team.

However, the Brazilian has struggled to make his mark and has been frequently linked with a move away from Camp Nou, reportedly turning down the chance to return to his homeland with Cruzeiro earlier this summer.

Sporting director Robert Fernandez admitted that the aim was to find him a club where he would feature regularly after a lack of football since moving to Europe.

"The priority with Douglas was to find minutes, to play football somewhere, because he's spent too much time [without playing]," he said at a news conference to present new goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

"He goes with a clause which means he has to play a certain amount of games, but he will have to earn his place in the team.

"Sporting's a good option, he can play as a right-back, but also further forward. We think it's the right move."

Sergi Samper has also left Barca on a season-long loan deal, joining Paco Jemez's Granada. The 21-year-old midfielder could make his debut on Sunday against Las Palmas.