Saint-Etienne have signed Augusto Fernandez on loan from River Plate until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has made nearly 100 appearances since his debut back in 2003.

He follows striker Gonzalo Bergessio, who joined Saint-Etienne from San Lorenzo earlier this week on a four-year contract.

Augusto is the versatile attacking player [coach] Alain Perrin wanted.
Saint-Etienne sporting director Damien Comolli

"He is the third new attacking player to join after the arrival of [Boubacar] Sanogo and Bergessio," sporting director Damien Comolli said.

"Augusto is the versatile attacking player [coach] Alain Perrin wanted."

Saint-Etienne coach Perrin will hope Fernandez, Bergessio and Sanogo, who joined last week from Werder Bremen, can kick-start his side's season.

Last week's 1-0 defeat by Ligue 1 new boys Boulogne-sur-Mer, in which Sanogo made his debut, was their third in three matches this term.

Tomorrow they face Grenoble, who are also looking for their first point of the season.