SC Paderborn 07 have confirmed the arrival of Dominik Wydra from Rapid Wien on a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old, who is also the Austria under-21 captain, will wear the number five shirt and neither club have yet disclosed the transfer fee.

Wydra had spent the last 12 years of his career in the Austrian capital after he joined Rapid from Wiener Viktoria back in 2003.

He made his Austrian Bundesliga debut back in 2011/12 and went on to rack up 66 appearances in his four years as a first-team member.

A good replacement for a a depleted midfield

After Patrick Ziegler, Mario Vrancic and Lukas Rupp left the club, Wydra should see himself installed into the line-up as a starter from the get-go. Similarly to Rupp, who departed for VfB Stuttgart, the Austrian is able to play anywhere in a central role.

The promising midfielder looks to be the first player Paderborn will have paid a transfer fee this summer, having brought in any other recruits on free transfers and loans. New boss Markus Gellhaus seems to have steadied the ship since André Breitenreiter's departure, bringing in the likes of Daniel Heuer Fernandes, Marc Brasnic and Niklas Hoheneder.

Born and Gellhaus give their thoughts on the move

Gellhaus spoke about his new arrival on the club website once the news was announced, "Dominik brings a high dynamic, a very good passing game and strong tackling ability to Paderborn." He added that he has "increased the quality" of the squad and can be used "defensively and also offensively".

Managing director Michael Born added that Wydra fits the club philosophy in "both a sporting and personal sense". Born cited his international experience as a major bonus to club and player.

Paderborn and Wydra will be hoping to get their 2. Bundesliga season off to the perfect start this Sunday when they take on fellow Westfalen side, VfL Bochum. The Benteler-Arena men are desperate to get off to a good start, in order to bounce straight back to the Bundesliga.

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]