Talented teenager quits Dortmund for Hannover

Leonardo Bittencourt.

Hannover 96 on Tuesday said they had signed Germany under-20 midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt from Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.

The 19-year-old endured a frustrating season at Dortmund, making just five Bundesliga appearances in a midfield dominated by Germany stars Marco Reus and Mario Goetze.

The teenager, who has made five appearances for the Germany under-20 side, has been brought in to strengthen Hannover’s midfield with his pacy dribbling in a deal said to be worth around three million euros (£2.5 million, $4 million).

“I am a passionate football player and my greatest desire is to show what I can do as often as possible,” said the attacking midfielder, who has a Brazilian father.

“I have a very good feeling that Hannover is the right stage for me to do that now.”

Dortmund have a buy-back option on Bittencourt once his Hannover contract expires in 2017 and having joined Borussia in July 2012 from second division Energie Cottbus, the talented teenager will get another chance to impress at Hanover.

“We decided on Leo Bittencourt, because he possesses all the skills and talents to strengthen our team,” said Hannover’s director of sport Dirk Dufner.