MADRID, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Rayo Vallecano has signed Senegalese center-back Nobel Mendy from Real Betis to strengthen its back line for the new season.

The 20-year-old arrives in a deal that allows Rayo to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.

The transfer ends a summer which saw Mendy's proposed move to Dutch side PSV Eindhoven fall through because he was unable to get a work visa. He was also close to signing for Glasgow Rangers, but the Scottish club had doubts over his fitness.

Rayo will face Belarusian club Neman Grodno in the UEFA Conference League play-off on Thursday night.

Mendy joined Betis on loan from Paris FC in 2023, with the Seville-based club playing one million euros (1.16 million U.S. dollars) to make the move permanent a year later. However, Mendy only made five first team appearances last season, including two in La Liga. ■