FOOTBALL: Dumitrescu loaned out to Seville

Ilie Dumitrescu's English adventure is over, probably for good. The forward who impressed all who watched him play for Romania at the World Cup has left Tottenham Hotspur for the Spanish club, Seville, on loan for the rest of the season.

Spurs had wanted to sell their man, and hopefully recover most if not all of the £2.6m Osvaldo Ardiles paid for him less than six months ago. The loan option was initially rejected but Spurs changed their mind yesterday - and Seville have the option to make the move permanent next summer, fitness and form permitting.

Dumitrescu scored five goals in 11 games at the start of term, but he was promptly dropped after Gerry Francis replaced Ardiles as the manager at White Hart Lane, where his exit will considerably diminish the wage-bill. The Romanian will join the Croatian striker, Davor Suker, and the Argentine midfielder, Diego Simeone, as overseas players at Seville.