Werder Bremen have signed Portuguese forward Hugo Almeida on loan from FC Porto for the 2006/07 campaign.

'Can only get better'
Hugo Almeida was a regular for Portugal at the recent UEFA European Under-21 Championship in that country and Bremen will have the option of buying the 22-year-old next summer. "Signing Almeida is a continuation of our policy of bringing in young players – players with a certain experience but who, we are confident, can push on and improve," said Klaus Allofs, general manager of the Bundesliga runners-up. "He is a very physical forward who is good in the air." Hugo Almeida has scored four goals in 34 games for Porto – many as a substitute – and also had loan spells at UD Leiria and Boavista FC.