Soccer / Football : Germany : Bundesliga 2008/2009

Hamburg have signed Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto on a free transfer from from Bayern Munich. The 34-year-old recently turned down Bayern's offer of a one-year extension to a contract which expired on June 30. Ze Roberto, who has agreed a two-year deal, also revealed that he has a future off-field role already in place with the Bundesliga side. He will be employed as a scout for South America for Hamburg.

Schalke have confirmed that they have agreed to sign Greek midfielder Vassilios Pliatsikas from AEK Athens. The 21-year-old has penned a contract running until the summer of 2013. With key midfielder Jermaine Jones set to miss around three months with a shin injury, the Gelsenkirchen club were keen to bring in some cover and new caoch Felix Magath opted for Pliatsikas.

Croatian international defender Josip Simunic signed for Hoffenheim from fellow Bundesliga rivals Hertha Berlin. The 31-year-old Australian-born will cost Hoffenheim €7m and is to sign a three-year contract. Simunic played more than 200 Bundesliga games for Hertha since joining from Hamburg in the summer of 2000 and has won 70 caps for Croatia. Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick believes Simunic will add much-needed experience to his side.

Grafite has agreed to extend his contract with Wolfsburg until 2012. The Brazilian striker scored 28 goals to be the leading scorer in the Bundesliga last season. Grafite, 30, struck up a deadly partnership with Bosnia forward Edin Dzeko, who scored 26 goals last campaign. Their combined total of 54 made them the most prolific partnership in Bundesliga's history. Dzeko, 23, seems likely to accept that he will still be with the Bundesliga champions, despite strong interest from Italian giants Milan.

Hoffenheim have signed Argentina midfielder Franco Zuculini from Racing Club de Avellaneda on a five-year contract. The 18-year-old has played one match for the national team. Coach Ralf Rangnick said he was "happy and proud that one of Argentina's biggest youth talents will play in Hoffenheim. He fits perfectly into our philosophy."

Werder Bremen have completed the signing of Germany midfielder Marko Marin from Borussia Monchengladbach. The 20-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with Werder with Gladbach receiving a reported €8.4 million. Marin made his Bundesliga debut in 2007 and has gone on to make 37 appearances in the top flight and a further 31 in the second division, where he was playing when Germany coach Joachim Low made him a surprise selection in his squad for EURO 2008.

Stuttgart have completed a double deal to bring defender Stefano Celozzi and midfielder Matthias Schwarz to the club. The 20-year-old Celozzi arrives on a three-year contract from Karlsruhe, while Schwarz, 21, moves on a two-year contract from Ingolstadt. Financial details were not disclosed.

Bayern Munich have finally completed the signing of Croatia midfielder Danijel Pranjic from Heerenveen. The 27-year-old has penned a three-year contract with the Bundesliga giants. Bayern are reportedly paying a fee in the region of €7m for the services of Pranjic, who scored 16 goals last season. While Munich have not commented officially on Brazil defender Lucio, Andreas Ottl, Christan Lell, Jose Ernest Sosa, Breno and Tim Borowski have been told that they can leave for another club.