Bremen paid a club record six million euros to capture the 21-year-old Diego from FC Porto but it looks like money well spent after the Brazilian produced two stellar displays in his first two matches of the 2006/07 campaign.

Diego scored on his debut in a 4-2 win over Hannover and then masterminded a 2-1 comeback win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Kicker magazine pencilled Diego into the team of the week for the second successive week and he lapped up the plaudits.

"I do not want to forget the successful times with Johan Micoud but in Diego we appear to have found a younger heir to the throne," said sporting director Klaus Allofs.

Croatian international Ivan Klasnic has also been impressed by the new arrival.

"He seems to get better with every minute," said Klasnic. "I hope he carries on that form in the next game."

Diego, capped 14 times by Brazil, is happy with life at Bremen and has now set the lofty goal of becoming a regular in the Brazilian national team.

"I am very happy with the way things are going here. I feel good on the pitch and I am glad that I am allowed to express myself," Diego declared.

"There is a long way to go yet and I need to play at a high level over a longer period.

"After the poor World Cup (Brazil crashed out at the quarter-final) there will be a new beginning with Brazil and I want to stake my claim at Bremen."