New faces at Kärnten and Bregenz
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
Article summary
Two of Austria's struggling sides have strengthened their squads during the winter break.
Article body
Two of Austria's struggling sides have moved to strengthen their squads before the resumption of the 2002/03 season.
New faces
FC Kärnten have acquired the services of Turkish Under-21 international Faruk Atalay while rivals Schwarz-Weiss Bregenz have signed Mirko Dickhaut from German club VfL Bochum 1848. The two clubs lie in eighth and ninth spot respectively in the ten-team Bundesliga.
Faruk switch
Kärnten, who have just two more points than Bregenz, have gone for youth in adding Faruk to their squad. The midfield player came through the ranks at Galatasaray SK and played six matches for the Turkish club in the 2000/01 UEFA Champions League.
Points needed
The 32-year-old German defender Dickhaut has agreed a contract until June 2005 with Bregenz, who have 21 points from 21 games. The transfer, believed to have cost in the region of €250,000, ends Dickhaut's five-year stay at Bochum.
Out of favour
Dickhaut had been out of favour at the 1. Bundesliga team, and had made only one appearance as a substitute this season. After starting his career at KSV Baunatal, he moved on to Hessen Kassel and Eintracht Frankfurt before making the switch to Bochum in 1997.