Canada's Buchanan makes move from Inter to Villarreal permanent

Versatile Canadian international Tajon Buchanan made his move to Villarreal permanent Tuesday, signing a five-year contract with the Spanish club.

Buchanan spent the second half of last season on loan at Villarreal from Italian side Inter Milan, and the Yellow Submarine triggered an option to keep the 26-year-old.

Villarreal will pay €9 million to add Buchanan on a permanent basis, and Inter will retain a 20% sell-on clause as part of the deal, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

Buchanan, who can play on either flank as a wing-back or a more traditional winger, made 13 La Liga appearances for Villarreal last season after his move in the January transfer window. He scored one league goal and provided two assists in that time, helping Villarreal finish fifth and qualify for the Champions League.

"He possesses physical power and speed when carrying the ball ... with a knack for getting into scoring positions and the ability to provide assists," the Spanish club said in a statement.

Now fully recovered from a fractured tibia suffered in 2024, Buchanan is once again a key part of Canada's national team ahead of next year's World Cup. He's earned 51 caps for his country, including six appearances during this summer's slate of matches - friendlies and the Gold Cup - during which he scored four goals.

"I found my joy for football again," Buchanan told Canadian media in June after his loan spell in Spain, according to Matthew Scianitti of TSN. "That helped me get back to the way I know I can play."