By Osasu Obayiuwana BBC Sport Online

German champions Borussia Dortmund have loaned former Nigerian international midfielder Sunday Oliseh to Vfl Bochum until 2004.

Oliseh's contract with Dortmund expires in 2005 but the 28-year-old was sidelined from first-team action by coach Matthias Sammer.

Dortmund will pay a part of the former Nigerian captain's salary whilst on loan at Bochum for 18 months.

Oliseh had been reportedly earning two million euros (2.1 million dollars) a year with the titleholders.

"I am happy with the deal, as Dortmund did not allow me to move in June.

"They asked for a transfer fee that scared many clubs away," Oliseh told BBC Sport Online on Thursday.

"As I did not want to uproot my family to a new area, the deal with Bochum enables us to keep our home, which is important for us."

Bochum currently sit in eighth position on the Bundesliga table.