Plzeň midfielder Darida joins Freiburg

SC Freiburg have strengthened further ahead of their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign by bringing in midfielder Vladimír Darida from Czech champions FC Viktoria Plzeň.

The 23-year-old Darida has signed a five-year deal after completing a reported €4m move, making him the most expensive signing in Freiburg's history. The 15-times capped Czech Republic international brings plenty of experience, having made a total of 28 appearances in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, scoring five times.

Freiburg sporting director Klemens Hartenbach said: "Darida is dangerous in front of goal, does a lot of running and has good tactical sense. We're delighted that he has decided to take the next step in his professional career at SC Freiburg, despite several other offers, and that he has signed a long-term contract."

Darida was involved in Plzeň's 1-0 UEFA Champions League play-off victory against NK Maribor on Wednesday night, which secured a 4-1 aggregate win and a group stage place for the Czech side. He scored one of the goals in their first-leg victory. Fifth in the Bundesliga last season, Freiburg will discover who their UEFA Europa League group stage opponents will be in Friday's draw in Monaco.