Tuesday, 18th June, 2013
Hannover are shoring up their attempts at a fresh challenge for European places next season, with the signing of Borussia Dortmund starlet Leonardo Bittencourt.
Bittencourt, who has been a member of Germany’s Under-20 side, and also played once for the Under-21s, will join Hannover on a four-year deal.
Mirko Slomka’s side recently pulled off a coup by snapping up the in-demand Edgar Prib – away from the attentions of Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt.
And in Bittencourt, the lower-Saxony club are hoping to gain fresh impetus down the wings, to improve on their ninth-place finish from last season.
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With Bittencourt having represented Dortmund five times in the league and once in Europe, Hannover boss Slomka said: "I’m really pleased about this deal with Dortmund.
"Leonardo decided very early on that he wanted to come to 96 and wants to show his worth in the Bundesliga. We’ve got ourselves a fast player that can dribble with the ball."
Bittencourt had joined Dortmund’s reserve side in 2011, but found appearances hard to come by with just 12 games in total for them.
And the player feels a move to Hannover can boost his personal development better than at Dortmund, saying: "I am a passionate footballer.
"My main desire is to show what I can do as often as possible. I have a really good feeling that Hannover is the right stage for me to be on.
"My mate [Hannover and Germany Under-20 midfielder] Andre Hoffmann is proof of how well young players can find their place in this team. That is my goal as well."
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