Hannover 96 sign Arsenal target Joao Pereira [divider]

Hannover 96 have completed the signing of Portuguese international Joao Pereira from Valencia CF until the end of the season, the club revealed on their official website.

“His international experience speaks to his qualities,” Hannover sporting director Dirk Dufner was quoted as saying by the official Bundesliga website.

“Joao Pereira featured for Portugal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2012, has played in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League as well as making over 230 appearances in the Portuguese and Spanish top flights. That he’s chosen to join Hannover 96 and take on the challenge of the Bundesliga delights me.”

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Hannover manager Tayfun Korkut believes the signing will strengthen his side and add depth.

“We wanted to bring in another right back for the second half of the season. Joao Pereira brings with him a lot of experience and first-class qualities to help us in the short-term,” Korkut said.

Arsenal were also closely linked with Pereira according to the Metro.

Korkut became the first Turkish international to take over a Bundesliga club when he was appointed Hannover manager last season.

It is the first senior coaching job for the former Fenerbahçe midfielder who previously worked as a youth team coach at Real Sociedad, Hoffenheim and VfB Stuttgart.