Vfl Bochum have signed 24-year-old midfielder Alexander Merkel on a free transfer following his departure from Italian club Pisa.
“We have a young and talented player returning to Germany, the signing of Merkel will further increase the quality of our squad,” said Bochum sporting director Christian Hochstätter.
Merkel himself is also delighted to sign: “After eight years abroad, I am very happy now to be back home, I want to help the team as soon as possible and do my part to achieve the objectives of the club.”
Merkel was a German youth International between 2007/11. Born in Kazakhstan, he then switched to represent his country of birth in 2015. Although only 24, Merkel has now joined his sixth professional club following spells at Milan, Genoa, Udinese, Watford, Grasshoppers and Pisa, scoring just once in 52 appearances.
