Argentina captain Sorin joins Hamburg

Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin controls the ball during a training session in June 2006. SV Hamburg have pulled off a major transfer coup before the transfer deadline with the signing of Sorin.

SV Hamburg have pulled off a major transfer coup before the transfer deadline with Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin.

Hamburg agreed a three-million-euro fee with Spanish side Villareal for Sorin and the Argentine left-back signed a three-year contract after passing a medical late on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Sorin, capped 75 times by his country, said the chance to play Champions League football was a major factor behind the move.

"Hamburg are a big club that has managed to qualify for the Champions League," Sorin on the club's website.

"I hope I can help my new team-mates in what is a tough group. I think we have a real chance of progressing."

Hamburg are grouped with Arsenal, FC Porto and CSKA Moscow in Champions League Group G.

Hamburg coach Thomas Doll was delighted with the capture of Sorin saying his experience was invaluable.

"Sorin is a class act. He is a world-class player with a wealth of experience and can help us in the Champions League," saide Doll.

Qualification for the Champions League has given Hamburg extra funds. They already paid Dutch side AZ Alkmaar six million euros for Dutch international defender Joris Mathijsen last week.

Hamburg also raised funds by offloading Dutch defender Khalid Boulharouz to English Premiership champions Chelsea in a deal worth 10.3 million euros.