Salzburg snap up Denmark defender Ankersen

Austrian Bundesliga pacesetters FC Salzburg have reinforced their defensive options by luring Danish international Peter Ankersen from fellow UEFA Europa League round of 32 participants Esbjerg fB.

The 23-year-old, who featured twice against his new employers in the group stage, has put pen to paper on a four-year contract. "Peter is a very interesting player who we watched several times at Esbjerg," said Salzburg sporting director Ralf Rangnick. "He is extremely versatile and can play at right or left-back. He is equally capable with both feet and we're delighted to have completed the deal."

After emerging through the ranks at Esbjerg, Ankersen spent two seasons with Vejle BK and played in Norway for Rosenborg BK in 2012. He re-signed for Niels Frederiksen's side later that year, winning the first of four Denmark caps in a May 2013 friendly against Georgia.

Salzburg, who topped Group C ahead of Esbjerg without dropping a point, travel to AFC Ajax for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League last-32 tie on 20 February, with the decider a week later.