Stuttgart land Pogrebnyak

Russian moves from Zenit to Bundesliga

Last updated: 2nd August 2009  

Stuttgart land Pogrebnyak

Pogrebnyak: On the move

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Stuttgart have further bolstered their ranks with the addition of Zenit St Petersburg striker Pavel Pogrebnyak.

The Russian front-man has passed a routine medical and joined the Bundesliga outfit for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.

Stuttgart general manager Horst Heldt has been charged with the task of replacing star player Mario Gomez, who has made the move to rivals Bayern Munich.

Alexander Hleb has rejoined the club on a season-long loan from Barcelona and now Pogrebnyak has arrived at the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion.

Gomez replacement

"We are delighted that it has worked out," said Heldt.

"He fulfils precisely the profile that we were looking for. He is a target man, just like Mario Gomez."

Heldt denied reports that the 25-year-old had cost his side a third of the 30million euros they had earned from the sale of Gomez, saying the fee was "in the region of five million".

"We said that we would not do anything crazy," explained Heldt on DSF television.

"Pavel only had six months left on his contract so 10million would have clearly been too much."

Further additions

Since Stuttgart have managed to sign Pogrebnyak relatively cheaply, Heldt would not rule out making any more signings this summer.

"Theoretically, we could make some more additions," he said. "The window is open until the end of August and we will leave this opportunity open to us."

Pogrebnyak was heading back to Russia to obtain a work permit and he is due back in Germany on Monday, when he will be officially presented as a Stuttgart player.

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