Bremen win Charisteas race

Title-chasing SV Werder Bremen have won the race to sign Greece striker Angelos Charisteas from cash-strapped FC Aris Thessaloniki.

Four-year contract
The 21-year-old will join the German 1. Bundesliga side in the summer for a fee of around €2.9m after agreeing a four-year contract. Charisteas has been linked with a host of European clubs since the start of the season, with Le Championnat leaders RC Lens reportedly coming closest to signing the Serres-born frontman.

Top clubs
Along with Lens, English FA Premiership clubs Arsenal FC and Ipswich Town FC were tracking Charisteas, who was also the subject of enquiries from Greek sides AEK Athens and Olympiakos Piraeus FC.

'Powerful striker'
Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said: "Charisteas is a powerful striker and a good header of the ball and will make a breakthrough in the Bundesliga."

Knew nothing
However, Aris president Giannis Zachudanis is unhappy over the transfer, and is claiming the club will not recognise the move as he knew nothing about it.

'Not for sale'
"The player is not for sale," Zachudanis said. "He left without the permission of the club and we had no idea. Aris does not recognize any transfer, contract or signature and are waiting for the player to give us an explanation."