Klasnic was second choice, Mainz claim

Mainz football director Christian Heidel said Ivan Klasnic was their back-up option, after failing to land Hertha Berlin’s Adrian Ramos.

The 32-year-old Klasnic has signed a one-year-deal with the Bundesliga side, despite interest from Gaziantepspor in Turkey, following a two-year stay at Bolton Wanderers.

“Klasnic has always been our plan B and after the Ramos transfer fell through we called Ivan on Saturday morning,” he told reporters.

“We were looking for an experienced player who knows the Bundesliga to add to our young attacking department.

“We see that someone in Ivan Klasnic, who has shown his qualities, especially his goalscoring qualities, at every club he has been with so far.”

Mainz will be hoping Klasnic can find his shooting boots with immediate effect, after the team has scored just once in 180 minutes so far this season.