Financial details were not revealed but reports in the German press suggested that the four-year deal was worth 8.5 million euros.

The 22-year-old's move to Germany had been on the cards for some weeks but had been delayed by the ongoing legal wrangle involving Corinthians owner Kia Joorabchian.

Carlos Alberto began his career with Fluminense in Brazil in 2000 before moving to Portugal where he played in Porto's 2004 Champions League winning team.