1.FC Köln have completed the signing of Hannover 96’s Leonardo Bittencourt on a four-year deal, the club have confirmed.

Bittencourt, 21, has signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2019, telling the club’s website he was impressed how Köln “made their mark in just their first season back in the top flight.”

Following their promotion from the 2. Bundesliga, Köln managed to finish the season in 12th, which included wins against both Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04.

Bittencourt looking forward to the season ahead

Bittencourt was full of praise for Peter Stöger and Jörg Schmadtke, who are “all about consistency” for Köln, having a clear plan on “how to lead this incredible club towards a successful future.”

The former Dortmund man looks forward to the meeting his new squad, and is “convinced that we will fit together really well.”

Bittencourt was snapped up by Dortmund at the age of 17, after playing his football for second division side, FC Energie Cottbus. Following a move to Hannover a year later, Bittencourt went on to make 57 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals.

Schmadtke is confident that Bittencourt will give Köln an “additional flexible option in our offensive game plan,” boasting “talent and quality.”

The 21-year old played some part in all of Germany’s Under-21 European Championship campaign, who were elimated at the semi-final stage following a 5-0 defeat to Portugal U21.

Following the sale of Anthony Ujah to Bundesliga rivals, Werder Bremen and Kevin Wimmer to Tottenham Hotspur, a number of fans were wary of the clubs limited finances for bringing in new faces.

Plenty of new signings at 1.FC Köln

Bittencourt is Köln’s sixth signing of the season, following the arrivals of both Anthony Modeste and Milos Jojic from Bundesliga sides, whilst Dominique Heintz joins from 1.FC Kaiserslautern.

Philipp Hosiner joined the club on loan from Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais, after the two sides originally agreeing a transfer in winter – however, a medical resulted in the discovery of a kidney tumour, with the Austrian now on his way back from recovery.

Frederik Sørensen joined the club last week from Italian champions Juventus, after spending the season on loan at Hellas Verona.