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Recently, having won the German league trophy and talking about ambitions to challenge Munich's "Bayern", Bremen acquired German national team defender Per Mertesacker from Hannover for about 5 million euros, along with another defender Frank Fahrenhorst.
"Since Per expressed a desire to move to Bremen, we are very pleased to have reached an agreement with Hannover," said Werder's general director Klaus Allofs.
"Having played so successfully in the World Cup at his age, the player will strengthen our team immediately. His potential is enormous," rejoiced Bremen's new coach Thomas Schaaf about the new acquisition.
21-year-old P. Mertesacker, who signed a four-year contract, spent three seasons in the Bundesliga and scored 7 goals in 74 matches for Hannover. For the first time out of 29 caps, the defender represented the German national team in October 2004 against Iran and was a member of the host German team in the World Cup this summer. However, the Werder debut for the player will have to wait, as he won't be able to play against his former club this Sunday due to a heel injury.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old F. Fahrenhorst signed a three-year contract with Hannover. The defender played 39 league matches for Werder in two seasons and will now reunite with coach Peter Neururer at Hannover, who coached him at Bochum.
