Goalkeeper Leno loaned to Leverkusen

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have moved to solve their goalkeeping shortage with the loan signing of German youth international Bernd Leno from VfB Stuttgart.

The 19-year-old moves until the end of 2011 to provide cover after René Adler was ruled out until at least late October following knee surgery and Fabien Giefer suffered concussion in Sunday's opening 2-0 Bundesliga defeat against 1. FSV Mainz. Giefer himself had only been pressed into action after new signing David Yelldell conceded four goals in the German Cup first-round loss to second-tier SG Dynamo Dresden.

Leno, reserve goalkeeper in the Germany squad that won the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and also capped at U19 level, was third choice at Stuttgart behind Sven Ulreich and Marc Ziegler. He has played 57 times in the 3. Liga for the reserves at Stuttgart, signing a new three-year deal this summer on his promotion to the senior squad.

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Völler said: "We are happy to have found a quality new signing in Bernd Leno at such a short notice and we are sure that with his help we will be able to reach our goals this season." Last year's Bundesliga runners-up begin the UEFA Champions League in the group stage.