Bayer swoop for Gekas

Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed the signing of Theofanis Gekas from VfL Bochum.

Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed the signing of the Bundesliga's top scorer Theofanis Gekas from VfL Bochum.

The 26-year-old Greek joined Bochum from Panathinaikos at the start of the season and has been in blistering form for the unfashionable Ruhr Valley club, netting 18 goals so far this season.

Gekas has now agreed a four-year deal with Leverkusen who will pay a ‚é¼4million (£2.7m) transfer fee in the summer should Bochum remain in the top flight this term.

‚Ç£We did our very best to keep Fanis at VfL and went to our financial limits to do so,‚Ç¥ said chief executive Stefan Kuntz in Kicker.

‚Ç£But he came to us and asked us to allow him to take this important step in his career.‚Ç¥

Gekas expressed his delight at the move to the BayArena, saying: ‚Ç£This is a fantastic chance for me both from a sporting and a financial point of view.

"I think it is the right move.‚Ç¥