MADRID (AFP) - Crisis-hit Valencia have bolstered their defence with the signing of Eliaquim Mangala on a season-long loan from Manchester City, the Spanish club confirmed on Wednesday (Aug 31).

"French international Eliaquim Mangala will become a Valencia player, on loan, until June 30, 2017," Valencia said in a statement.

Mangala had not featured so far this season for City having fallen down the pecking order after the signing of John Stones from Everton.

The former Porto defender had been a target for Valencia last season when Nicolas Otamendi joined City, but reportedly turned down the move then to fight for his place at the Etihad.

Valencia have endured a nightmare start to the season with defeats to Las Palmas and Eibar leaving them bottom of La Liga.

Los Che are in need of defensive reinforcements following the sale of German international Shkodran Mustafi to Arsenal.

Mangala was part of the French squad that reached the Euro 2016 final, but played just 18 minutes despite a series of defensive injuries suffered by Didier Deschamps's squad.

Mangala is the second City player to make a loan move to Spain on Wednesday after Samir Nasri joined Sevilla for the rest of the season.