Mainz 05 have signed Swedish international Pierre Bengtsson from FC København. The defender will join in January as on costless transfer.
The 26-year-old has signed a deal until 2018 with Kasper Hjulmand's Mainz, who currently occupy eighth place in the Bundesliga. Bengtsson has already worked under the Danish coach, they both worked together briefly at FC Nordsjaelland in 2011.
Sporting director Christian Heidel had this to say on his the left-back's arrival, "For us, this transfer is in anticipation of the coming summer. We are convinced that it increases with the quality within our squad." There had been rumours from the previous transfer window that Bengtsson would join, but all those doubts have now been removed.
"Pierre is a dynamic and tactically very well trained full-back who has a structured build-up game and quality in the final third." commented Hjulmand, "With his powerful left foot, he also is dangerous from set-pieces. With these characteristics he fits in brilliantly to our sporting plans."
Having won the 2009-10 Danish Cup with Hjulmand, as well as enjoying Champions League football in his time at both København and earning eighteen caps with Sweden's national team, it is a move that brings experience and quality to Mainz. He'll provide competition to Jo-Hoo Park and Junior Diaz, with the latter's contract running out this summer, Bengtsson could be the ideal replacement.
The player himself said he was looking forward to the new challenge of: "an exciting club, whose playing philosophy fits me very well, and playing in one of the strongest leagues in the world in which I can compare myself to an even higher level of player."
Quotes via kicker.