Bundesliga Daily: 23 August
Bundesliga Daily keeps you right up to date with all the important events concerning the 18 Bundesliga clubs. Here's all you need to know from 23 August...
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Bayer sign Dragovic from Dynamo Kyiv
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have announced the signing of Austria international Aleksandar Dragovic from Dynamo Kyiv. The 25-year-old centre-back has signed a five year contract that will keep him at the club until 2021.
"Kyiv was an important step for me but now I'm very motivated to play in one of the best leagues in the world," Dragovic told bayer04.de. He joins compatriots and fellow newcomers Julian Baumgartlinger and Ramazan Özcan at the club.
"Bayer 04 have signed Aleksandar Dragovic from Dynamo Kyiv fon a five-year deal."
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Bauer from Ingolstadt to Bremen
SV Werder Bremen also confirmed a new signing today, with Robert Bauer joining from FC Ingolstadt 04. The 21-year-old recently won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics with Germany.
"The transfer is the best possible step for me as Werder are a great club," Bauer told werder.de after finalising his move. "The whole setup is unique, from the fans, to the stadium, to the history."
Bauer completed a medical on Tuesday and will train with the first team squad on Wednesday morning, meaning he should be available for Friday’s Bundesliga opener against FC Bayern München.
Badstuber taking his time
FC Bayern München defender Holger Badstuber insists he is in no rush to return from injury, having suffered setbacks in the past when making his comeback from spells on the sidelines.
"I don’t think I'll play in the first game of the season [against SV Werder Bremen]," the 27-year-old told kicker.de. "But then there'll be an international break and I think I'll return to the squad after that. It doesn't matter whether I return a week sooner or later, the most important thing is that I stay healthy long-term."
Bender to miss season start
Lars Bender will miss Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s season opener on Saturday against Borussia Mönchengladbach after twisting his ankle in a challenge with Brazilian superstar Neymar in the Olympic final in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.
The 27-year-old midfielder underwent an MRI scan upon his return to Germany, and the club confirmed he will be out for around two weeks.
Bender is Leverkusen's second high profile player to miss the start of the season, as Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez is also out with a broken hand.
*"Ankle injury: Get well soon"
**"After the Rio2016 Final: Bender to miss two weeks with an ankle injury."
Petersen eager to move on
SC Freiburg striker Nils Petersen is counting down the days for his club's first Bundesliga game after missing the decisive penalty for Germany in the gold medal match against Brazil at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
"Of course I was disappointed right at the final whistle and that will last a bit longer," he told kicker. "But at the same time I now have a silver medal at home, and I'm very proud of that achievement. I'll never forget missing the penalty, but now my focus will be on handling this [disappointment]. "I want to play an important role [in the match against Hertha Berlin on Matchday 1]."
*"Look who's back. Nils Petersen has returned the Olympics. Welcome back! "