FC Augsburg sign AZ Alkmaar's Jeffrey Gouweleeuw

Augsburg bolster up their defense with the signing of Alkmaar's center back Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, the "Fuggerstaedter" announced on Saturday.

Augsburg reacted on the injury of defender Jan-Ingwer Callsen-Bracker - who suffered a fracture of his left calf bone in the Europa League encounter against Partizan - as Dutch defender Gouweleeuw reinforces the "Fuggerstaedter" for the second half of the season.

Augsburg and Alkmaar agreed to keep silence over contract details such as period of validity and transfer fee.

"Jeffrey Gouweleeuw was Alkmaar's captain and is despite his young age already an experienced player. We are therefore pleased that the transfer worked out, and that he will wear Augsburg's jersey from now on," sporting director Stefan Reuter said.

The 24-year-old defender joined from "AZ" where he scored four goals in 87 appearances in the space of three years. He made overall 150 games in the Dutch Eredivisie.

"It is great to be part of this team now. I am also looking forward to the Bundesliga which will be a great experience for me," Augsburg's new arrival told the club's official homepage.

The Dutchman received the jersey No. 6 and is on his way to his new teammates, who are in the training camp in Estepona, Spain. His new club encounter third-placed Berlin at the 18th round in Bundesliga on January 23. Endi