Lizarazu returns to Bayern Munich
 |  Lizaru previously had a seven-year spell with Bayern Munich |
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MUNICH, Germany -- Former French international Bixente Lizarazu is returning to Bayern Munich, the club's general manager Uli Hoeness has announced.
Lizarazu left Bayern this summer after his contract had not been renewed. The veteran defender spent the first half of the season playing for Marseille in the French league.
Lizarazu, who previously spent seven years in Munich, was signed until the end of the current season on a free transfer.
"We knew he wasn't happy at Marseille," explained a Bayern Munich spokesman.
Lizarazu, who scored seven times in 152 appearances for Bayern following his arrival from Athletic Bilbao in 1997, will solve the German club's left back problem and is also eligible for the Champions League as Marseille failed to qualify for this season's campaign.
Lizarazu, who retired from international football after France crashed out of Euro 2004, will join up with Bayern for their training camp in Dubai on January 14.
With Bayern, Lizarazu won the Champions League, four national titles, three German Cups, five League Cups and the Intercontinental Cup.
De Los Santos signs
Spanish club Mallorca have signed Valencia's Uruguayan midfielder Gonzalo De Los Santos on loan until the end of the season.
The deal also gives Mallorca an option to sign De Los Santos on a four-year contract in June.
Mallorca, languishing in 19th place in the 20-team Spanish league, signed Japan striker Yoshito Okubo on loan from Cerezo Osaka last month for the rest of the season.
De Los Santos, who will make his debut on Sunday against Deportivo La Coruna, has spent most of his career in Spain. He arrived in 1997 from Uruguay's Penarol to join Merida and then played for Malaga for three years.
This season, the midfielder has struggled to win a place in Valencia's team after returning from a season's loan with Atletico Madrid.
Buffel boost
Belgian striker Thomas Buffel completed his 3.2-million-pound move to Rangers from Feyenoord on Wednesday.
"Everything has happened quite quickly and I am really excited about this new challenge," said the 23-year-old who will make his debut against Celtic in the third round of the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
"The clubs made an agreement over the weekend and then a deal was struck today so I am very pleased.
