Valencia have confirmed the capture of Asier Del Horno after the full back agreed a six-year deal with the Spanish outfit.

The two clubs have concurred on a fee thought to be in the region of £4.8 million, with Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho allowing the player to make a return to Spain after the briefest of sojourns in The Premiership.

Del Horno returns to his homeland after just a year in the capital, with his time at Chelsea likely to be adjudged to have been one of mediocrity.

When he arrived in West London from Athletic Bilbao last summer great things were expected of the attacking left back, with Wayne Bridge shipped out to Fulham to make way for the Spain international.

However, Del Horno failed to ever really deliver and towards the end of the campaign found himself out of favour as William Gallas was preferred as a makeshift left back, despite his preference to play a more central role.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for long-term target Arsenal defender Ashley Cole, with talk of a switch for the England defender now likely to gather even greater pace.

Mourinho has already culled his ranks after a busy summer of investment, with Damien Duff to move to Newcastle pending a medical and now, Del Horno has joined the list of those not quite of the standard required by the champions.

Del Horno, 25 years old, will be paraded before the Spanish press on Monday alongside fellow new boy Fernando Morientes.