Brazilian striker Pato joins Villarreal

No details were given on the transfer fee or length of the contract, although local media reported the Spanish club paid an estimated three million euros ($3.2m) to obtain 60 percent of the player's rights for four years with the remainder held by Pato.

Pato, 26, has already played in Europe with AC Milan from 2008 to 2013 and for six months with Chelsea last season during a disappointing loan spell in which he played two matches and scored one goal.

Capped 27 times, Pato won the 2009 Confederations Cup and two Olympic medals with Brazil.