Schürrle opts for Leverkusen
Thursday, September 16, 2010
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have beaten off strong competition to sign 1. FSV Mainz 05's 19-year-old forward André Schürrle who will change clubs next summer on a five-year contract.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have won the race to capture André Schürrle, with the teenage striker signing a five-year contract beginning next summer.
Leverkusen have agreed an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of €8m, with 1. FSV Mainz 05 for the 19-year-old Schürrle. The Germany Under-21 forward helped Mainz to the 2009 German U19 championship and that August made his Bundesliga debut in a 2-2 draw against Leverkusen; he now has seven goals in 35 top-flight appearances.
Schürrle said: "I am very grateful to Mainz 05 and the way [general manager] Christian Heidel and coach Thomas Tuchel have accepted my wishes and made it possible for me to take the next step in my career."
Coach Jupp Heynckes, whose Leverkusen side begin their UEFA Europa League Group B campaign against Rosenborg BK on Thursday, said: "André Schürrle is an outstandingly talented striker. We are happy with his decision to choose Bayer 04 Leverkusen and think he can reach the next level with us."
