Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed the 21-year-old defender Lukas Sinkiewicz from second tier 1. FC Köln following a good season for their local rivals.

'Additional stability'
The three-times capped German international has signed a four-year contract at the BayArena, binding him to the club until 2011. He made 75 league appearances for Köln, with Leverkusen coach Michael Skibbe saying: "Sinkiewicz is strong in tackling and heading and he will give our defence additional stability." The player added: "Bayer 04 is one of Germany's top clubs, the team is very young and I am looking forward to playing in Europe at Leverkusen." Fifth-placed Leverkusen will enter the 2007/08 UEFA Cup in the first round.