Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the services of Chilean midfielder Charles Aránguiz from Brazilian club Internacional - © © gettyimages / Lucas Uebel
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have secured the services of Chilean midfielder Charles Aránguiz from Brazilian club Internacional - © © gettyimages / Lucas Uebel

Leverkusen win race to sign Charles Aranguiz

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Leverkusen - Bayer 04 Leverkusen have completed the signing of Chilean international midfielder Charles Aranguiz from Brazilian club SC Internacional.

Highly sought after

The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract until 2020 with Die Werkself and could make his league debut against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim in Bayer's opening game of the season against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Aranguiz caught the eye during Chile's successful Copa America campaign this summer and has now secured his protracted transfer to a club renowned for developing South American talent. "Had Charles Aranguiz not really wanted to join us, we would never have got him," said Leverkusen's general manager Michael Schade of the highly coveted player.

"We're pleased that our persistence paid off and that Charles decided to join us," Schade added. "We've been focusing our efforts on completing this transfer for a while now and this was not helped by the extraordinary performances of the player both in the Copa [America] and for his club. That makes it even nicer now to have beaten off the international competition."

Aranguiz: 'I desperately wanted to come'

Aranguiz admitted he had sought advice from Chilean team-mate Arturo Vidal, formerly of Bayer and now at FC Bayern München, who convinced him he was doing the right thing by joining Leverkusen. "The Bundesliga is one of the best and most attractive leagues in the world, and Bayer have been one of the top teams in it for many years," he said. "Arturo spoke highly of Leverkusen and that's why I desperately wanted to come to this club."

"I also see a big chance of playing in the Champions League with Leverkusen. They have practically always been involved lately and we want to qualify for it again this time. I'm really looking forward to this challenge in a new country."

"There he is: Charles Aranguiz! The Chilean has signed a contract until 2020 with the Wekself. Welcome!"