Bundesliga: 6 new signings to watch

The 2018/19 Bundesliga kicks off today when champions Bayern Munich host Hoffenheim. Here is a look at six key signings:

Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund):

Having finished third at the World Cup with Belgium, the central midfielder is expected to take up a key role at Dortmund since his €20 million ($22.9m) transfer from Tianjin Quanjian. Witsel came off the bench and scored the equaliser in Monday’s 2-1 German Cup, first-round win.

Davy Klaassen (Werder Bremen):

After making his Champions League debut at 18 at Ajax, Klaassen has joined Werder Bremen following a disappointing highprofile move to Everton last season. Bremen have splashed out €13.5m on the attacking midfielder who had the late Johann Cruyff as one of his admirers.

Alassane Plea (Borussia Moenchengladbach):

He showed he has an eye for goal with a hat-trick on his competition debut last Sunday when Gladbach romped to an 11-1 win over minnows Hastedt in the first-round of the German Cup. Costing €23 million, he is the most expensive transfer in the club’s history.

Paulinho (Bayer Leverkusen):

Not to be confused with the 30-year-old Barcelona midfielder, on loan at Guangzhou Evergrande who has the same name, the teenager Paulinho is a winger, who cost Leverkusen €18.5 million and has already impressed. The Brazilian faces some stiff competition with Jamaica’s Leon Bailey and Germany’s Julian Brandt currently ahead of him in the pecking order.

Kasim Adams Nuhu (Hoffenheim):

The Ghana defender won the Swiss league with Young Boys Bern last season after cutting his teeth with Real Mallorca for two seasons in the Spanish league. At 1.90m tall, he is a solid presence at the back and a powerful header. He cost €8 million.

Matheus Cunha (RB Leipzig):

Leipzig have uncovered yet another exciting, young prospect. The teenager scored 10 goals last season and set up another eight for Swiss club FC Sion and looks likely to transfer his talents to the German league.