Hannover (Germany), Jan 17 (IANS): German side Hannover 96 signed striker Hugo Miguel Pereira de Almeida from Russian outfit FC Anzhi Makhachkala, both sides have confirmed.

Relegation-threatened Hannover have strengthened their offense with the signing of former Werder Bremen striker Hugo Almeida, who penned a contract until June 2017 with the "Reds", reports Xinhua.

"I am delighted that this transfer has worked out. We lacked in penetration but Hugo can improve our game. He is a compact and strong striker with great goal scoring abilities," Hannover's coach Thomas Schaaf said on Saturday.

It is also the reunion of a striker and a coach who already worked together in Bremen from 2006 until 2010, where Almeida marked 41 goals in overall 117 appearances under Schaaf.

"When the coach called me I said immediately yes. I have never lost the Bundesliga out of sight and it was always my desire to return again. I want to contribute with good performances and goals to maintain Hannover top-flight status," the new arrival told the club's official homepage.

The 31-year-old striker, who received the jersey No. 22, made his debut for Portugal's national team in 2004 to score 19 goals in 57 caps.

Hannover sit on the penultimate position of the Bundesliga standings with 14 points from 17 games. They face newly promoted Darmstadt at the 18th round of Bundesliga on January 23.