Hoffenheim sign Argentine Zuculini

German top flight side Hoffenheim said on Sunday they have signed 18-year-old midfielder Franco Zuculini from Argentina’s Racing Club Avellaneda for 4.7 million euros.

“Franco is a player full of talent and he has a lot of heart,” said Hoffenheim manager Jan Schindelmeiser.

“Franco should come to Germany in a few days for final medical tests. We have agreed his contractual conditions with his father though the deal has yet to be signed,” added Schindelmeiser.

Werder Bremen had also been tracking the youngster.

Zuculini could be followed to Germany by his brother Bruno.

Senegalese striker Demba Ba meanwhile is still angling for a move from Hoffenheim to VFB Stuttgart, who want him to fill the hole left by Mario Gomez, who has joined Bayern Munich for 30 million euros.

“I want to play in the Champions League. Hoffenheim and Stuttgart are going to discuss a transfer,” Ba told Sunday paper Bild am Sonntag, although his club denied the story, noting he was under contract until 2011.

Stuttgart are thought to be willing to pay 13 millions euros pour Ba, who scored 14 goals in the Bundesliga last season as Hoffenheim stormed to the top midway through their first top flight season before fading.