Real Madrid's Silva returns to Cruzeiro on long-term loan

Cruzeiro have re-signed midfielder Lucas Silva on loan from Real Madrid.

The 23-year-old Brazilian returns to his homeland on a 17-month deal that runs until June 30, 2018.

Silva spent last season on loan with Marseille in Ligue 1, but a proposed move to Sporting CP broke down and his career appeared in jeopardy when his medical in Portugal detected an irregular heartbeat.

He was cleared to resume training with Madrid's first team in late October and will now return to the club he left to move to the Santiago Bernabeu in January 2015.

Three starts and five substitute appearances followed before the move to Marseille and Silva will now hope to recapture the form that helped to inspire Cruzeiro to back-to-back national championships in 2013 and 2014.