Forlan ruled out of Champions League group stage

Diego Forlan will be unable to play in the Champions League group stage for new club Inter Milan after featuring for Atletico Madrid in the Europa League before his move to Italy.

The Uruguayan striker played for Atletico against Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset in the third qualifying round of Europe's secondary club competition.

He played no part in the playoff tie against Vitoria Guimaraes at a time when he was in negotiations over a possible move to the San Siro, but UEFA rules state that his previous involvement means he cannot now play in Europe for Inter until the new year.

Inter—who were drawn in Group B along with CSKA Moscow, Lille and Trabzonspor—can still call on Giampaolo Pazzini, Diego Milito, Mauro Zarate and 18-year-old Dutchman Luc Castaignos as attacking options.

Forlan, 32, was signed late last month for 5 million euros ($7.1m) to replace Samuel Eto'o, who was sold to Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia.