Haas was captain of Bayern Munich's second team

Middlesbrough have signed defender Maximilian Haas from Bayern Munich II for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old German, who made 62 appearances as captain of the Bundesliga side's second team, has signed a one-and-a-half-year deal.

"I had offers from the Bundesliga, but [assistant] Mark Venus and [Boro boss]Tony Mowbray convinced me to come here," Haas told BBC Tees.

"I think it was the right decision for me," he added.

"I and they want to stay in the league and hopefully go up next year."

Haas continued: "I knew [Mowbray] from his time at Celtic and I heard some things from [Edson Braafheid] who played under him and was a team-mate of mine at Bayern Munich.

"He's a great personality and a good football trainer so I think I can learn a lot here."

Mowbray said: "Maximilian was very keen to come here and test himself in English football.

"It's a challenge for him and his arrival will create additional competition for places."

He added: "He is a real competitor and comfortable with the ball.

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"The challenge for him is to acclimatise to the English game and then take any opportunity that comes his way."

The former Eintracht Freising centre-back arrives at the Riverside following the departure of former England Under-21 international defender David Wheater to Bolton Wanderers earlier this month.

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