BUENOS AIRES (AFP) - Villarreal confirmed Thursday they had signed Argentinian striker Marco Ruben from River Plate, but that the 21-year-old would be loaned out to Spanish first division rivals Recreativo Huelva until the end of the season.

"Marco Gaston Ruben Rodriguez has signed for this season and five more years," said Villarreal, who are third in the table, on their official website.

"The player will be loaned to Recreativo Huelva until June 30, 2008."

River Plate said on Wednesday that the transfer was worth seven million dollars (4.78 million euros).

Ruben scored seven goals in 36 appearances for River Plate who he joined in 2007 from Rosario Central.