1. FSV Mainz 05 have announced the arrival of the Portuguese centre-back Henrique Sereno on a two-year deal.
The defender, who looked set to join newly-promoted SV Darmstadt 98, has opted for the Coface Arena club instead and joins from Kayserispor.
Sereno is no stranger to the Bundesliga. The 30-year-old previously spent a season on loan at 1. FC Köln where he featured 25 times through the 2011-12 season, with a dramatic final day relegation ending his time on the Rhein.
As well as turning out for Köln, Sereno had spells with Vitoria Guimarães, Real Valladolid and FC Porto before ending up in Turkey. At Kayserispor, he made 42 appearances in the country's top two divisions, scoring four goals along the way. Sereno also has two Portugal caps to his name.
Sereno, Heidel and Schmidt have their say
Speaking to Mainz's official club website upon arrival, the versatile defender spoke about the supporters: "I remember the games here in Mainz very well – it is a great stadium with loud and euphoric fans." He also believes that the German top flight is "the strongest league in the world and he's looking to helping "a friendly club and a good team" further themselves.
“We were looking for a fast defender who is good in the air, and we found Henrique Sereno," explained the club's sporting director Christian Heidel. The mastermind behind Mainz's transfer business believes that "he really adds to our [Mainz] defence", due to his experience in Germany's top division "as well as in Portugal, Turkey and Spain”.
Martin Schmidt also had his say on the deal, explaining that Henrique is an "internationally and domestically experienced central defender" and one who will not only add to the team's quality team with "his great technical abilities" but also "his great character”.