Cha joins Leverkusen challenge

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed Korean Republic international midfield player Du-ri Cha.

Loan spell
The son of former Leverkusen idol Bum-kun Cha, the 22-year-old has returned to the familiar territory of his father's old club, but they are already keen to send the Korean youngster out on loan for 12 months to give him some experience of German football after playing for his university side in Seoul.

Two options
With the start of the season approaching, 1. Bundesliga newcomers DSC Arminia Bielefeld are keen to take the Korean international on, but they are facing stiff competition from 2. Bundesliga side MSV Duisburg. According to Leverkusen general manager Ilja Kaenzig, the club has yet to decide which club would be best.

Important decision
Bum-kun Cha, who engineered his son's move to the BayArena, is keen for Du-ri Cha to gain top-flight experience with Bielefeld but the player himself is eager to work with Duisberg coach Pierre Littbarski. "We will make things clear until the end of this week", Kaenzig said. "But the decision must be well thought out, because we want this this young player to develop in an ideal way."

Fond memories
The midfield player's move was arranged by Leverkusen's other general manager Reiner Calmund who was impressed by watching Cha in action during the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals. The memories of Cha's father doubtless played a part in Leverkusen's decision - Bum-kun Cha became the first Asian player to lift the UEFA Cup as the 1. Bundesliga side won the trophy in 1987/88.