Villarreal signs striker Gerard Moreno from Espanyol

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MADRID (AP) Spanish club Villarreal has signed striker Gerard Moreno from Espanyol.

Villarreal says Tuesday that Moreno has agreed to a five-year contract.

Villarreal already owned 50 percent of the rights to Moreno, who had previously played for the club.

Espanyol says Villarreal bought the player's full rights by paying 20 million euros (23.5 million dollars), which was half of his buyout clause.

The 26-year-old Moreno scored 39 goals in three seasons with Espanyol.

Villarreal finished the Spanish league in fifth place last season, earning it a berth to the Europa League.