Dortmund in for Frings

German international Torsten Frings has taken time out of FIFA World Cup duty to join 1. Bundesliga champions BV Borussia Dortmund from SV Werder Bremen.

'Everything has been sorted out'
"I'm relieved everything has been sorted out," said the 25-year-old after signing a four-year contract. Frings had agreed to join Dortmund weeks ago but talks over the transfer fee, reported to be just under €10m, dragged on. "It's been a long wait," added Frings, who was in the starting lineup in Germany's record-breaking 8-0 win over Saudi Arabia in their opening World Cup Group E match on Saturday.

Great relief
"I was about to go to bed when [German team spokesman] Harald Stenger told me last night it was a done deal," added Frings defender. "It wasn't really bothering me and my mind was already entirely set on the World Cup, but I'm glad the situation has been clarified."

Decisive action
Frings, who joined Bremen in 1996 and has scored two goals in nine internationals for his country, had agreed to join the Ruhr valley club as of June 2003 when his contract with Bremen was set to expire, but Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer was so eager to sign the player that the deal has been brought forward a year, a situation which suits both parties, as well as the player, given the fact that Dortmund will be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season.