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German capture for Romanian strugglers

Romania's FC UTA Arad have snapped up German midfield player Markus Pleuler on a free transfer.

Contract option
Pleuler has signed up for the rest of the season with the option of a two-year contract extension, which will be invoked if UTA, Divizia A's bottom club, can avoid relegation.

Cameroon connection
The 32-year-old was released by German third division club SV Stuttgarter Kickers last October. He joins former Stuttgart team-mate, the Cameroonian Jeremy Niock, at the UTA stadium, where he impressed on trial in November.

Easy decision
"It was not difficult for Niock to persuade me to come to Arad," he said. "I know a lot about Romanian football. I also know that UTA have a relegation battle but I am not frightened. It is a real challenge."

German pioneer
Pleuler, who becomes the first German to play in Romania's top flight, had his Stuttgart contract cancelled after a knee ligament injury sidelined him for six months last year. He previously played for SSV Ulm 1846. UTA, who have 13 points from 15 matches, also have a new coach in Radu Nunweiller.

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