Madrid sign Özil from Bremen

Real Madrid CF have signed Germany midfielder Mesut Özil from SV Werder Bremen for a fee though to be around €15m.

The 21-year-old leaves Bremen on the eve of the home leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off with UC Sampdoria and will undergo a medical in Madrid on Wednesday. He is reported to have agreeed a six-year contract to team up with international team-mate Sami Khedira and fellow new signings Ricardo Carvalho, Sergio Canales, Pedro León and Ángel di María.

A Madrid statement said: "His unique touch, unmatched individual technique, excellent ball control and deadly last pass make the German midfielder one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in European football." Werder general manager Klaus Allofs added: "We respect Mesut's wish to take the next step in his career at this point."

Özil's senior career began at FC Schalke 04 at the age of 17 but in January 2008 he moved to Bremen for €4.3m and the following year helped them win the German Cup and reach the UEFA Cup final, before inspiring his nation to victory at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden. He had already made the step up to the senior international side and was nominated for the adidas Golden Ball at the 2010 FIFA World Cup after helping Germany finish third.

He has now won 17 caps and in all made more than 100 appearances in all competitions for Bremen. Madrid begin their Liga campaign in just under a fortnight and enter the UEFA Champions League in the group stage.