Mertesacker bolsters Bremen challenge
Tuesday, August 8, 2006
Article summary
Werder Bremen have signed Germany defender Per Mertesacker from Hannover 96 for €5m with Frank Fahrenhorst moving to Hannover in part exchange.
Article body
Great potential
Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs said: "After Per made it clear he wanted to join Werder Bremen, we are very happy to have reached an agreement with Hannover." Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf added of the 21-year-old Mertesacker: "Someone who had such a strong [FIFA] World Cup at his age will strengthen our team from the very start. His potential is huge."
Not fit
Mertesacker, who has agreed a four-year contract, has spent three seasons in the Bundesliga, making 74 appearances and scoring seven goals for Hannover. He won the first of his 29 Germany caps in October 2004 against Iran, before being part of the host nation's squad at this summer's World Cup. Mertesacker will not be fit to play when Bremen visit his former club on Sunday as he has a heel injury. Fahrenhorst is expected to feature for Hannover, however, having signed a deal until 2009. The 28-year-old appeared 39 times in two league campaigns at the Weserstadion. At Hannover he links up with Peter Neururer, who was his coach at VfL Bochum 1848.
