Germany's Gomez signs for Wolfsburg

BERLIN: Germany forward Mario Gomez will return to the Bundesliga with the ex-Besiktas and Fiorentina striker joining VfL Wolfsburg, the club said on Wednesday.
Wolfsburg confirmed earlier reports from German daily Bild and magazine Kicker as well as agencies DPA and SID, an AFP subsidiary, that claimed the club was set to complete Gomez's signing from Fiorentina.
The 31-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Besiktas where he was the Turkish league's top scorer with 26 goals, is reportedly set to cost Wolfsburg seven million euros (RM31.62 million).
He will be officially unveiled as a Wolfsburg player on Thursday, having reportedly agreed a three-year deal, and will wear the number 33 jersey.
"We were already busy with the transfer of Mario Gomez during last winter," said Wolfsburg's director of sport Klaus Allofs.
"So we're even more pleased that it's worked now. With his immense experience and qualities as a player, he will bring plenty to the team. He fits perfectly to our ambitions."
Gomez netted twice in Germany's run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, but a thigh injury suffered in the quarter-final win over Italy ended his tournament.
Scorer of 29 goals in 68 appearances for Germany, Gomez decided not to stay in Turkey given the political unrest in the country.
"I'm looking forward to the new challenge," said Gomez. "I am very happy to be able to be back in the Bundesliga.
"I want to help Wolfsburg get back to international competition and I'm convinced we'll do it."
Gomez cost Bayern Munich a then Bundesliga record 30 million euros when they signed him from Stuttgart in 2009 and he has made 236 appearances, scoring 138 goals, in Germany's top flight.
He was the Bundesliga's top scorer in 2011 with 28 goals for Bayern.
But the Munich giants sold him to Fiorentina for €15.5 million after winning the 2013 treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup.
Wolfsburg start their Bundesliga campaign at Augsburg on August 27. — AFP