Werder Bremen have signed defender Samuel on a six-month deal with an option of a three-year extension.
But Schmidt could be leaving Weserstadion amid contract dispute
Bundesliga strugglers Werder Bremen have signed Brazilian defender Samuel on a six-month contract with the option of a three-year extension.
The 24-year-old played for Sao Paolo in 2010, but has moved to Germany on a free transfer and will replace injured compatriot Naldo, who has undergone knee surgery.
After finishing third last season, Bremen were expected to challenge for the title in the current campaign, but they find themselves sat 15th and just six points off bottom spot.
The club's general manager, Klaus Allofs, has therefore welcomed the signing as Bremen attempt to climb away from trouble at the wrong end of the table.
Allofs told his club's
official website: "Samuel is a young and talented defender. We have signed him and we are looking forward to seeing how he goes in his first couple of months at our club.
Proposal
"We have an option to keep him at our club should we be impressed by him."
In contrast, Dominik Schmidt admits he could be leaving the Weserstadion because he is struggling to agree an extension to his contract, which expires at the end of the season.
The 23-year-old told
BILD: "We have yet to agree terms. It looks as if we cannot reach an agreement."
Allofs said: "I have almost had enough. We have submitted a contract offer to Schmidt's agent.
"As a reply, we have just received a new proposal. This proposal is far off our plans."
