Elberas returns to Germany and plays for "Gladbach" © EuroFootball.com

Brazil's Giovane Elber has decided to return to play in Germany and has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with the "Mönchengladbach" club.

The 32-year-old Elber recently terminated his contract with the French champions, whom he had joined after nine successful years spent in the German Bundesliga.

"Giovane is the best foreign striker in Bundesliga history, and we are delighted that we were able to add him to the team," said sports director Christian Hochstätter. "When a player of this caliber is without a contract, you simply must sign him."

Elber played for three years (1994-1997) at the "Stuttgart" team and later played six seasons at Munich's "Bayern". In total, the Brazilian scored 133 goals in 256 matches in Germany.

Fighting to stay in the Bundesliga, "Gladbach" significantly strengthened in January - earlier, the team was joined by defender Craig Moore, goalkeeper Kasey Keller, and striker Wesley Sonckas.