UEFA Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Werder Bremen defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Sky Sports understands.
The deal is reportedly worth €8 millon, plus €2 million in potential add-ons, and will keep Papastathopoulos at the club until the summer of 2018.
“We are delighted that Sokratis has decided for Borussia Dortmund. He is a versatile defender, in whom we see a lot of potential,” said BVB sporting director Michael Zorc.
Papastathopoulos, 24, established himself as a regular in the Greek national team at the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
The 24-year-old Greece international, who scored one goal in 30 competitive appearances for Bremen last season, can play centre-back as well as right-back, and has been signed as a replacement for Felipe Santana.
Sokratis thanked Bremen for his time at the club, adding: “I had two years at Werder from which I personally profited very much. It is a shame that in a sporting sense things did not turn out the way we all wished for.”
In addition, the former AEK Athens, Genoa and AC Milan player has earned 37 international caps for Greece since making his debut on 5 February 2008 against the Czech Republic.
Schalke sign Felipe Santana
FC Schalke 04 have signed Brazilian defender Felipe Santana from local rivals Borussia Dortmund on a three-year deal, according to Sky Sports.
Santana, 27, requested a transfer from BVB earlier this week and the club obliged rather quickly.
The 27-year-old will replace Christoph Metzelder in the heart of the Royal Blues defence next season.
“It was a tough decision for me to leave,” revealed Santana on Dortmund’s official website.
“That is clear by the fact I extended my contract last summer even though I was not playing regularly.
“But I have got to play regularly now if I want my dream of playing in the Brazil national team to become reality, and that is the aim I have.
“It is important for me to thank the fans, my team-mates and the club bosses for the wonderful time I had in Dortmund.”
Schalke recovered from a horrendous start to the 2012-13 campaign to finish fourth in the Bundesliga table, much like their English counterparts Arsenal. Thus, Santana’s first task at the Veltins-Arena will be to qualify for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.
The Brazilian centre-back, who scored six goals in 95 league appearances at Dortmund, has yet to receive a call up to the Brazil national team.
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