Serie A strugglers Udinese on Wednesday announced the loan signing of Algerian international midfielder Hassan Yebda from Spanish top flight side Granada.

Udinese, who finished an impressive fifth place last season, currently sit 15th in Serie A and are only three points off the relegation zone.

A statement by the club said: "Udinese have acquired Hassan Yebda on a temporary loan deal from Granada. The Algerian will wear Udinese's bianconero shirt until June 30, 2014."

The 29-year-old Yebda, who was born in France but opted to play for the Algerian national side despite being part of the France Under-17 team crowned world champions in 2001, began his career with Auxerre but notably played for Le Mans and Portuguese giants Benfica, with whom he won the 2009 Portuguese Cup.

However, out of favour with the coach Benfica loaned him the following season to English outfit Portsmouth -- with whom he reached the 2010 FA Cup final -- and then to Serie A side Napoli, before selling him to Granada in 2011.