Confirmed: Bayern's Arrey-Mbi joins Hannover permanently
Hannover 96 confirmed the permanent signing of central defender Bright Arrey-Mbi from FC Bayern München on Friday afternoon.
Always keen too retain the services of center back Bright Arrey-Mbi, Lower Saxony's Hannover 96 announced on Friday that they had arranged for the former Chelsea academy man and FC Bayern Campus prospect to join their club permanently. According to information released on Hannover's website, there was no need to pull the trigger on a reported-upon €500,000 purchase clause. The 20-year-old will join "die Roten" on a free.
The youngster receives a new two-year-deal with an option to extend for a third. Arrey-Mbi made 15 league appearances for his 2. Bundesliga side last season. He also started against Borussia Dortmund in the Pokal. Though he hasn't cracked Germany's highest youth level yet, the Cameroon-born prospect (who also has English roots) has represented Germany 24 times at the U19 level and below.
"We got a good impression of Bright's potential last season," H96 sporting director Marcus Mann noted in a statement, "He is physically strong, clever in one-on-one battles and exceptionally fast for a central defender. We want to and will continue to encourage and challenge him and are firmly convinced that he still has a lot left in him."
"From day one, I felt very welcome in Hannover and with the team," the player himself added, "I'm grateful to have been given the chance to play regularly. But I'm just as grateful for the support during the phases when things didn't go perfectly for me. I have the feeling that everyone at the club is interested in my development. With that support and cohesion, I want to take the next steps with the team and personally."