Hannover have completed the signing of defensive midfielder França from Coritiba.
The 21-year-old has signed for die Roten on a three-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him with the club until 2016, and is expected to join up with his new team-mates on Tuesday.
The Bundesliga outfit have already recruited Johan Djourou and Andre Hoffmann this winter and director of sport, Jorg Schmadtke, has praised the quality of the club’s new Brazilian acquisition.
He told the club’s official website: “França, at 1.90 metres and 88 kilograms, is in good physical condition and he brings with him a great passion for the game.
“He is a rugged-type of player who will, in my opinion, forge a career with us.”
Hannover coach Mirko Slomka also spoke with optimism of França’s potential impact on his side, who sit 11th in the league with 23 points from 17 games.
The 45-year-old added: “I look forward to working with França and I am sure that he is motivated and ambitious and looking to seize his chance.
“I have great experience working with South Americans and I appreciate their commitment and their enthusiasm for learning. I am convinced França is no different.”
França, whose real name Welington Wildy Muniz dos Santos, spent some time on loan at Série B side Criciúma last season.
Source: Bundesliga.com
