Bremen bring in Schalke talent

Werder Bremen have signed highly rated German Under-21 international Sebastian Boenisch from rivals FC Schalke 04 in a deal thought to be worth €3m.

'Reinforcement'
The versatile defender, 20, has committed himself to Thomas Schaaf's team for four years and Bremen managing director Klaus Allofs is delighted with the acquisition. "He is a proper reinforcement and will improve the quality of our squad," he said. "Boenisch didn't get many opportunities in the league with Schalke but was really impressive for the U21s." The move ends four years in Gelsenkirchen for Boenisch, who joined Schalke from SC Rot-Weiss Oberhausen aged 16. A member of Schalke's 2006 youth championship-winning side, he made nine Bundesliga appearances and one in the UEFA Cup.