[Vocabulary] loan spells

[maiabulela]

Dear all,

What is the meaning of "loan spells" in the following context:

"His time at Chelsea was divided between loan spells at AC Milan and cross town rivals Inter."

That was about the football player "Crespo"

Actually aslo, I have a problem in understanding the idea of all those clubs!
Is he in Chelsea or AC Milan or Inter?!

Thanks.

 

[JMurray]

"His time at Chelsea was divided between loan spells at AC Milan and cross town rivals Inter."

maiabulela.
Here, "spell" is used to mean a period of time.
Footballers who are contracted to a club are sometimes loaned out to other clubs for a specific period, this is often referred to as a "loan spell". In this case Crespo was signed to Chelsea but he had loan spells with both AC Milan and Inter Milan during his time with the London club.

not a teacher

 

[maiabulela]

"His time at Chelsea was divided between loan spells at AC Milan and cross town rivals Inter."

maiabulela.
Here, "spell" is used to mean a period of time.
Footballers who are contracted to a club are sometimes loaned out to other clubs for a specific period, this is often referred to as a "loan spell". In this case Crespo was signed to Chelsea but he had loan spells with both AC Milan and Inter Milan during his time with the London club.

not a teacher

I really can't thank you enough. But just one more thing, please.
"rivals" here is a noun or a verb??

 

[JMurray]

AC Milan and cross town rivals Inter."
.."rivals" here is a noun or a verb??

A noun meaning opponents, competitors.

 

[maiabulela]

AC Milan and cross town rivals Inter."
.."rivals" here is a noun or a verb??

A noun meaning opponents, competitors.

It's because it's plural and "Inter" is one club! that was confusing.
and then also "cross-town" here, as far as I understand, is an adj. means "in the same country or town of the other club"