Red Bull Salzburg defender André Ramalho has agreed to join Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
The 22 year-old centre-back, who can also cover as a defensive midfielder, is out of contract in June and will move to Bayer on a free transfer.
An undoubted motivation for Ramalho to make the switch to North Rhine-Westphalia is the opportunity to be reunited with Manager Roger Schmidt.
The Brazilian was given his FC Salzburg debut by the 47 year-old tactician and scored six times in 39 appearances to help Die Roten Bullen win the 2013/14 Austrian Football Bundesliga and Austrian Cup – a feat that secured Schmidt a move to Leverkusen at the start of this season.
For Bayer Sporting Director Rudi Völler, Ramalho past working alongside Schmidt is an important asset and he believes he has the potential to be a shrewd addition.
“Ramalho is a talented and young defensive all-rounder, and with our trainer he had two successful years at RB Salzburg," he told the club’s official website, as reported by Sky Sports.
“He won the Austrian Championship [Austrian Football Bundesliga] with Roger Schmidt and has drawn attention to himself with very good performances, especially in the [UEFA] Europa League.
“He will be able to help us very much in the new season with his versatility."
This season, Ramalho has featured 29 times in all competitions, with FC Salzburg currently top of the Austrian Football Bundesliga and through into the UEFA Europa League Round of 32.
