STRIKER Emanuel Villa is looking forward to the chance of playing regular first-team football following his move from Derby County to Mexican club Cruz Azul.

Derby have received an undisclosed fee for the 27-year-old Argentinian, believed to be around £1.5m.

Villa did not start a game in the second half of last season and was not part of manager Nigel Clough's plans for the new season.

"Last season, I started quite well. I scored a few goals in the Championship and in the League Cup," said Villa.

"But our team started suffering, then we saw a managerial change and from then on, I really struggled to get a few games to show what I could do for the team."

Villa has returned to Mexico, where he has previously played for Atlas and UAG Tecos.

He joined the Rams from Tecos for £2m in January 2008 and scored nine goals in 53 appearances, including 24 starts.