Salzburg snare striker Žulj from Ried

Bundesliga pacesetters FC Salzburg have reinforced their attacking options by luring Austrian Under-21 international Robert Žulj from domestic rivals SV Ried. 

The 21-year-old, who struck 26 times in 95 appearances after rising through the ranks at Ried, has inked a contract running until summer 2016. "I've been given the chance to move from a good to an excellent Bundesliga team," the forward said. "At Salzburg, I'll have the opportunity to develop further and take part in European games played at a high level. This will only help my progress as a footballer."

Sporting director Ralf Rangnick added: "We have signed a young Austrian player who has made a name for himself over the last 18 months." Roger Schmidt's charges, who topped Group C without dropping a point, travel to AFC Ajax for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last-32 encounter on 20 February, with the decider scheduled for a week later.