Laudrup heading to Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne have signed Nordsjalland midfielder Andreas Laudrup on loan until the end of the season. The 22-year-old, son of Swansea manager Michael Laudrup, has made over 80 appearances for the Danish champions, including four outings in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League this season. Saint-Etienne have the option to make the deal for the Denmark Under-21 international permanent at the end of the season, and chief executive Roland Romeyer said: "We have not hired a name but a player who has great potential. His qualities as a footballer are what convinced us. The arrival of Andreas meets our desire to supplement our workforce as soon as possible to meet the many challenges ahead this season." Laudrup is the second new arrival at Saint-Etienne in the current window, following the completion of a six-month loan deal for Nancy forward Yohan Mollo. ASSE coach Christophe Galtier is bidding to reverse a run of five league games without a victory or even a goal, yet Laudrup remains enthusiastic about the challenge ahead. "It's been a while that I have been waiting for this day," said Laudrup, who was born in Barcelona in 1990 during his father's time at the Nou Camp under Johan Cruyff. ASSE is a great club with a fantastic history and fans who show great enthusiasm. I cannot wait to start." From FIFA