Hannover 96 secures Hugo Almeida's services

Hugo Almeida is on his way back to the Bundesliga.

Hannover 96 snapped up Hugo Almeida on a free transfer Saturday as the Portuguese forward signed a contract with the German club, having terminated his time at Anzhi Makhachkala.

(Courtesy: Hannover 96)

At Hannover, Almeida, 31, will reunite with manager Thomas Schaaf. The pair worked together at SV Werder Bremen between 2006 and 2010.

"I didn't waste much time accepting (Hannover's) offer," Almeida said. "I haven't stopped following the Bundesliga and never gave up hope of returning one day. Hopefully I can do my bit to help Hannover avoid relegation."

Almeida marks Hannover's fifth signing of the January transfer window. In a bid to avoid relegation, the club, sitting 17th in the Bundesliga standings, has already landed Hotaru Yamaguchi, Adam Szalai, Iver Fossum, and Marius Wolf.