Borussia Mönchengladbach have taken a step in replenishing a depleted defence by completing the signing of Werder Bremen centre-back Jannik Vestergaard on a five-year deal.
Felicitous Foals
Although both clubs confirmed the transfer, there was no mention over the price-tag; but, reports indicate the fee is in the region of €14m.
"Despite his young age [23], Jannik will play an important role in our defence due to his experience and physical presence," revealed sporting director Max Eberl. "We're delighted that he has decided to join Borussia and that we've managed to sign him."
The Foals have already had to say farewell to Granit Xhaka and Håvard Nordtveit along with centre-backs, Roel Brouwers and Martin Stranzl.
The 6ft6 defender has rose through the ranks for Denmark, having featured for the youth sides 41 times and made his debut in August 2013 against Poland. Altogether, he has made 8 senior appearances for the national side with his competitive debut coming in the return leg of the Euro 2016 play-off qualifier. Brought on in the 84th minute, the auxiliary forward scored a late goal, but to no avail as Sweden went on to win on aggregate.
Big defender big loss for Bremen
Frank Baumann, Bremen sports director, voiced his dispiritedness over the loss: “Of course we would have loved to keep Jannik, and we tried to stress to him in our discussions how much he meant to us," and added, “But Jannik has sporting goals that we can't offer him in the near future, so we also said that we would listen if an offer was made that was sensible for everyone concerned.”
Vestergaard has plenty of history in the Bundesliga and quickly progressed through TSG Hoffenheim’s reserves to become a key player. After four successful years, a move to Bremen ensued just last summer.
Featuring in 33 Bundesliga games the season that saw Bremen barely stave off relegation, the Dane proved to be a vital resource at the back. Vestergaard also played in five DFB-Pokal games which saw die Grün-Weißen reach the semis, only to be knocked out by future-winners Bayern Munich. The centre-back scored three goals this season, against his future employers and their arch rivals.