Hamburg have completed the signing of German international goalkeeper Rene Adler on a free transfer from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen. The 27-year-old, who has struggled with injury for the past two years, has signed a five-year contract in the northern Germany city.

"When you can sign a Germany international at the age of 27, then that is a special opportunity and we have taken it," said Hamburg director of sport Frank Arnesen. "I hope that he can return to the national team off the back of excellent performances for Hamburg. He is very optimistic and ambitious to get back to his previous form."

Adler was unable to play a single game for Leverkusen last season as he was recovering from knee surgery, but he expects to be ready to make his return to competitive action for Hamburg next term. "I think that I will come out of this last year stronger than ever," he said.

"It was a tough time and I had to come through lots of low moments during rehabilitation, but it has all paid off in the end. I now feel top fit and am ready."

The last of Adler's ten caps for Germany came against Sweden in November 2010, since when he has struggled with an injury which required surgery for the second time last summer.