Wolfsburg make their move for Mandžukić

VfL Wolfsburg have strengthened their attacking options by signing Croatian international striker Mario Mandžukić from NK Dinamo Zagreb for a fee reported to be in the region of €7-8m.

Mandžukić, 24, has agreed a four-year contract with the Bundesliga club and will compete for a place in the Wolves' forward line with prolific duo Edin Džeko and Grafite. "We're very happy to have signed Mario and are convinced that he'll add lots of power to our attack," said Dieter Hoeness, the Wolfsburg general manager. "It is also an advantage that he speaks German."

Mandžukić scored 14 goals in 24 league appearances last term as Dinamo won the Croatian title for the fifth successive season. In total, Mandžukić averaged better than a goal every two games for his former club, striking 42 times in 81 matches. He signed off as a Dinamo player with two goals in a 5-1 defeat of FC Koper in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League second qualifying round tie on Tuesday.

Naturally, Wolsfburg coach Steve McClaren is delighted to have acquired the forward who moved to Germany in 1992 with his parents, starting his youth career with TSF Ditzingen. "In our system it is important that the strikers are flexible," said McClaren. "I have followed Mandžukić for a while and I'm happy that he's with us now."