"Now it is time to make the next step," said Sokratis Papastathopoulos
after completing his move to Borussia Dortmund to replace FC Schalke
04-bound Felipe Santana.
Just three days after losing the UEFA Champions League final, Borussia
Dortmund have begun preparing for the 2013/14 campaign. With Felipe
Santana leaving for FC Schalke 04 on a three-year deal, Sokratis
Papastathopoulos has arrived from SV Werder Bremen to plug the gap.
"We are very happy that Sokratis has decided to join Borussia
Dortmund," said BVB sporting director Michael Zorc. "He is very flexible
in defence, can play different positions and we are confident he has
huge potential." Papastathopoulos, who has signed a five-year contract,
made 59 Bundesliga appearances for Bremen having moved from Genoa CFC in
2011.
"I have benefited a lot from the two years at Werder,"
said the Greek international, 24. "Now it is time to make the next step.
I would like to thank everyone who helped me on my path to this point."
Santana
switches to Dortmund's local rivals Schalke with a view to more
first-team football – and impressing Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
"The decision to leave the club was a tough one," said the 27-year-old,
an unused substitute at Wembley on Saturday. "I extended my contract
last summer even though I wasn't a regular player, but I need to become
one if I want to fulfil my dream of playing for Brazil [at the 2014 FIFA
World Cup]."
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