Augsburg sign Hoffenheim's Schmid, sell Esswein to Berlin

German football club Augsburg has signed midfielder Jonathan Schmid from Hoffenheim, while selling Alexander Esswein to Hertha Berlin.

The "Fuggerstaedter" on Friday reacted on the departure of Esswein, as midfielder Schmid put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

"We are pleased to have signed with Jonathan Schmid a prolific player, who has proven his skills in the Bundesliga in recent years. He will help the team with his quality," Augsburg's sporting director Stefan Reuter said.

The 26-year-old Frenchman knows the Bundesliga very well, as he has already played for Freiburg and Hoffenheim marking 24 goals in overall 141 top-flight performances.

"I see a very good perspective for me and the club," Schmid said. "I am therefore delighted that the transfer worked out before the season start," he said

Speaking on the signing of Esswein, Berlin's sporting director Michael Preetz said: "Alexander was our desired candidate. I am very happy that the transfer worked out, and he became a Herthaner."

--IANS

gau/pur/vm