El Fakiri fixed on Mönchengladbach

Proven ability
The 28-year-old midfield player has agreed to a two-year contract with his new club. Moroccan-born El Fakiri has already earned six caps for Norway, and made 41 Ligue 1 appearances in France after featuring in 89 first division matches in Norway with SFK Lyn Oslo, SK Brann and Rosenborg BK.

Köppel impressed
El Fakiri convinced Borussia coach Horst Köppel over the course of several practice sessions with Mönchengladbach in the last few days. "We needed to sign another player after suffering some injury blows," Köppel said. "Hassan is a very skilful player who will be useful in different positions."