Tuesday 6 January 2015 16:57, UK
Bayer Leverkusen have completed a deal to sign Red Bull Salzburg defender Andre Ramalho on a free in the summer.
The 22-year-old Brazilian will link up with the Bundesliga outfit in the summer when his Salzburg deal expires.
Ramalho has agreed a four-year contract, starting on July 1, which will see him reunite with former Salzburg boss Roger Schmidt.
"Ramalho is a talented and young defensive all-rounder, and with our trainer he had two successful years at RB Salzburg," Leverkusen's sporting director Rudi Voeller told the club's website.
"He won the Austrian Championship with Roger Schmidt and has drawn attention to himself with very good performances, especially in the Europa League."
Schmidt, who succeeded Sami Hyypia at BayArena in April, has taken his side up to third in the German top flight this season after finishing fourth in May.
In his absence Salzburg have surged to the top of the Austrian standings once again, but Ramalho has decided to seek a fresh start and it is hoped his flexibility will prove a real asset to Leverkusen next season.
"He will be able to help us very much in the new season with his versatility," Voeller added.
