Milan striker Oliveira sent on loan to Real Zaragoza

ROME, July 14 (Reuters) AC Milan striker Ricardo Oliveira has been sent on loan to Spanish club Real Zaragoza, the Serie A club announced on its Web site (www.acmilan.com) today.

The move ended Oliveira's brief adventure with the Italian giants, where he struggled to carve out a space for himself in the club's overcrowded attack.

Milan paid Zaragoza's Spanish rivals Real Betis 17 million euros last year for Oliveira.

The Brazilian international, who finished top scorer in La Liga in the 2004-05 season, was billed as the replacement for Andriy Shevchenko but failed to make an impression in Italy, scoring just three goals in 26 Serie A appearances for the club.

REUTERS SAM KP2040