Freiburg have made their first signing of the summer with midfielder Max Kruse arriving from second division side St Pauli.
Kruse, 24, has scored 13 times in 34 appearances for St Pauli this season, although that record was not quite enough to lead the Hamburg-based club back into the top flight as they missed out on a place in the play-off on goal difference to Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Nevertheless, former Werder Bremen player Kruse will be playing Bundesliga football next year after joining Freiburg.
"Max Kruse is a very dangerous attacking midfielder who has already some Bundesliga experience,'' said Freiburg's director of sport Dirk Dufner.
"To have managed to attract such a coveted young player to Freiburg shows that we remain an attractive destination for talented players.''
Freiburg avoided relegation to the second division with a fine second half of the season under the guidance of Christian Streich, who equalled a club record for consecutive games unbeaten before losing to champions Borussia Dortmund on the final day of the season.
