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Mexico international Andres Guardado has moved from Valencia to Bayer Leverkusen on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The news was confirmed Thursday, Jan. 30, by Mexican football expert Tom Marshall:

Marshall also said that the German side has an option to make the transfer permanent at the end of the season, and tweeted a quote from the player explaining his excitement:

The signing will come as a boost to Leverkusen, who are leading the way to finish second behind Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Bayern Munich team in the Bundesliga.

They are currently four points ahead of third-placed Borussia Dortmund, but Wolfsburg, back in sixth, are only seven points behind in a closely contested league table.

Leverkusen are also still competing in the Champions League and will play Paris Saint-Germain over two legs for a place in the last eight of the competition.

Guardado, who has been capped 99 times for Mexico, is a typically astute Leverkusen signing. He comes with little fanfare but is capable of slotting into the side at left-wing or left-back and doing a professional job at the top level.

He is one of three Valencia players to depart the financially unstable La Liga club ahead of the transfer deadline, along with Helder Postiga and Dorlan Pabon all heading for the exit, as confirmed by ESPN FC's Spanish correspondent Dermot Corrigan:

The move comes at a good time for Guardado, ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, and will allow him to play in the Champions League and for a side with something to play for in the league too.