Stuttgart seal Rodriguez deal

Stuttgart have confirmed the signing of Francisco Rodriguez for an undisclosed fee from PSV, with the centre-back penning a three-year deal.

The Mexico international, also known as Maza, has been added to cover an area where Stuttgart have been looking to strengthen.

“In Maza, we have signed an experienced central defender,” sporting director Fredi Bobic told the club’s official website.

“Following the loss of Matthieu Delpierre through injury, we wanted to have a further option in that position. Maza is familiar with European football and won’t need a long period of integration before he can help our team.”

The 29-year-old, who signed for Dutch club PSV in 2008 and spent three successful seasons there, spoke of the next step in his career.

“Stuttgart are a huge club which is highly renowned in Germany and across Europe. I have spoken with Fredi Bobic as well as [head coach] Bruno Labbadia. Their ideas and the concept behind them have impressed me,” Rodriguez said.

“For me personally, the move from Eindhoven to VfB is a new sporting challenge. I want to get to know the players and the style of football in the Bundesliga as quickly as possible in order to be able to help the team achieve their goals.”