German club Wolfsburg sign Perisic

Berlin: Ivan Perisic has joined Wolfsburg from Bundesliga rivals Dortmund on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the club said in a statement.

According to media reports, the 23-year-old Croatian international midfielder had been unhappy with his role as a bench-warmer. In his two years with the ‘Borussen’, Perisic made only 42 appearances and scored nine goals but was unable to earn a position in Juergen Klopp’s starting line-up.

“We are delighted to have been able to sign Ivan Perisic,” said Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs at the official presentation at the training camp in Belek, Turkey. “After the signing of coach Dieter Hecking this is the next important decision for Wolfsburg.

“Our offence will be more variable with Ivan. He fits perfectly into our demand profile and the coach team concept.”

Perisic joined Borussia Dortmund in 2011 from Club Brugge, where he was top scorer in 2010-2011.