Ivanschitz switches to Salzburg

Big move
The 22-year-old, who played five times in this season's UEFA Champions League, has been the subject of several weeks of speculation and his transfer is by far the biggest of the campaign so far in Austria. Salzburg had caused a stir last month when they moved for the midfielder's services, with Rapid originally claiming they would keep the player until his contract expired in summer 2007.

Gap to fill
However, Ivanschitz subsequently expressed a desire to leave the capital, paving the way for today's decision to sell him by Rapid president Rudolf Edlinger. Ivanschitz's exit, for an undisclosed fee, will leave a big gap for Rapid coach Georg Zellhofer to fill as he starts his new role following the departure of Josef Hickersberger to the national team.