AC Milan have confirmed the signing of Salvatore Bocchetti from Spartak Moscow on a six-month loan deal until the end of the season.

Bocchetti, 28, who has been capped five times for Italy, joined Spartak from Rubin Kazan in 2013, having moved to the Russian Premier League side from Genoa in 2010.

Embattled Milan slipped to 11th in Serie A, 23 points behind leaders and champions Juventus, following Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Lazio, in the aftermath of which central defender Philippe Mexes was handed a four-game ban for violent conduct.

Milan announced Wednesday: "AC Milan announces that Salvatore Bocchetti has arrived on a loan deal until June 30, 2015 from Spartak Moscow."

Bochetti is the third player to leave Spartak on loan during the winter break, following Russia captain Roman Shirkov, who has joined Krasnador, and Argentine midfielder Tino Costa who has moved to Genoa.