Leverkusen seal Tah signing
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Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Germany Under-19 defender Jonathan Tah from German Bundesliga rivals Hamburg.
The teenage was part of the Germany side eliminated from the European U-19 Championship in Greece during the group stage, but his earlier than expected return has enabled him to complete a summer switch. Tah, 19, spent last season on loan at second division side Fortuna Dusseldorf and he has signed a five-year contract with Leverkusen.
Leverkusen director of sport Rudi Voller said on his club's website: "Jonathan Tah is a greatly talented central defender who was able to get some valuable match practice at Fortuna Dusseldorf last season and proved to be one of the pillars of that side.
"His signing is a great investment in the future, but Jonathan has the class to help us out immediately. There were many clubs interested in him and this makes us even happier that he has chosen Bayer Leverkusen."
Tah failed to help Germany defend their Under-19 title this summer, but he is already looking to the future after that disappointment. "I'm pleased to be here now," he said. "Bayer are a great club and I believe I can take the next step here. I already know some of my new team-mates and I'm sure I'll settle in quickly."