Brighton and Hove Albion have completed the signing of German defender Uwe Hünemeier from Paderborn.
The club said: “Brighton and Hove Albion have completed the signing of German central defender Uwe Hünemeier from Bundesliga 2 side SC Paderborn.
“The 29-year-old passed his medical at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre this morning (Wednesday 12 August) and joins Albion on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.”
Manager Chris Hughton said: “I’m delighted to bring in someone of Uwe’s experience.
“He has played at the top level in German football and we all know how high the standards are there.
“He has good leadership qualities and, along with his quality, he will add a great deal to our defensive options. He is of a really good age to integrate into the team and squad.
“He is a very popular player at SC Paderborn and it would be easy for him to remain there but he wants a new challenge. He wants that to be in England and he has shown a great desire to join us.”
Hünemeier rose through the ranks at Borussia Dortmund’s youth academy and made his first-team debut for the German side against Bayern Munich in December 2005.
After six years with Dortmund, the defender made the switch to second-tier Energie Cottbus in July 2010.
He enjoyed a successful first season with the East German club and scored a total of nine goals as the club secured a sixth-placed finish in Bundesliga 2.
After three years with Cottbus, Hünemeier joined SC Paderborn on a free transfer in July 2013 where he was named captain.
In his first season at the club, he led SC Paderborn to second place in the second tier and the team was promoted to the German top flight for the first time in the club’s history.
Hünemeier scored a couple of vital goals in the club’s promotion-winning campaign, including the winner against former club Energie Cottbus.
