Arminia Bielefeld have made forward Nils Quaschner their seventh new signing of the summer, and the second this week following the arrival of Nils Teixeira.
He joins from RB Leipzig, having played out on loan to VfL Bochum last season, and has signed a three-year deal with the Blues.
Quaschner was pictured in the club’s new team photo on Tuesday, before his transfer had been confirmed, with the official announcement only following on Wednesday afternoon.
End of unsuccessful spell with Leipzig
The 23-year-old spent his formative years at Hansa Rostock, eventually making 13 league appearances in the 3. Liga before being swallowed up by the Red Bull machine.
He was signed by Red Bull Salzburg in 2013, initially playing for their development team FC Liefering before making 10 Austrian Bundesliga appearances for the senior side in his second season in Austria.
In the summer of 2015 he took the now well-trodden path between Salzburg and Leipzig, however he found himself behind Yussuf Poulsen and Davie Selke in the pecking order up front and only scored one goal in 19 appearances, all but one of which was from the bench.
Surplus to requirements following Leipzig’s promotion to the Bundesliga, he joined Bochum on loan this time last year. He appeared 26 times in the 2. Bundesliga for them last season, scoring just three times but contributing four assists, with most of his success coming when playing on the wings rather than up top.
Quaschner hoping to stay put
Bielefeld’s director of sport Samir Arabi said the club are “delighted” to have tied down “a young, talented player” to a long-term deal. He describes him as “dynamic” and a “goal-threat” who will “enrich our attacking play.”
After his numerous changes of club in recent years, Quaschner is looking forward to “tying down” in Bielefeld. He hopes that can “prove his qualities” and help to “make a profit” for the team.
His arrival leaves Bielefeld with plenty of options in attack, including fellow new signings Patrick Weihrauch, Andraz Sporar and Leandro Putaro. Fabian Klos has also suggested that he will remain with the club. There had been speculation about his possible departure after he appeared to fall out of favour under Jeff Saibene at the end of last season.
The club meanwhile unveiled defender Teixeira on Monday, following his departure from Dynamo Dresden. He has signed a contract until 2019, and said that he would like to “help make next season more successful than the last,” in which they narrowly avoided relegation from the 2. Bundesliga.
Quotes via Arminia Bielefeld.