Forssell joins Mönchengladbach fight

VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach have confirmed the loan signing of Finnish international Mikael Forssell from Chelsea FC until the end of the season.

Hoping to help
The 21-year-old striker, whose contract with Chelsea runs until 2005, said after completing a medical today that he had chosen Mönchengladbach ahead of several other clubs, including Spain's RC Celta de Vigo. "I decided on Borussia because I know the club and I heard many good things about it from my advisor and my father," said Forssell. "Now I am happy to be here and I hope that I can help Borussia in the second half of the season with some goals."

Debut against Wolfsburg
Mönchengladbach, who sit 15th in the 18-team 1. Bundesliga, could certainly do with some extra fire power. Striker Arie van Lent has only just returned after a long injury while Joris van Hout is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury. With Morten Skoubo struggling for form, Forssell could be handed an instant debut at home to VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.

Back from injury
Forssell, capped 19 times by Finland, has spent the last nine months on the sidelines after knee surgery but made his comeback with Chelsea's reserve team last week. The player, who has spent much of his time at Chelsea on loan to first division Crystal Palace FC, added: "I've practiced for four weeks now and I'm feeling good."

Born in Germany
Settling in Germany will be no problem for the Finn. Forssell was born in Germany, in Steinfurt, and trained at Bayer 04 Leverkusen as a teenager before joining HJK Helsinki.