Madrid, July 23 (DPA) Spanish giants Sevilla announced Thursday the signing of Sergio Sanchez from Espanyol, for a fee believed to be in the region of 4 million euros (5.68 million dollars).

Sanchez, 23, has signed a four-year contract with Sevilla, who will go directly into the Champions League group phase after finishing third in La Liga.

He is an offensive-minded right-back who has played for Spain at the Under-21 level. Sevilla have been looking for an energetic right-back since selling Dani Alves to Barcelona a year ago.

Sanchez is Sevilla's second summer signing, after midfielder Didier Zokora from Tottenham Hotspur.