Colombian midfielder Michael Ortega has been transferred to Bayer Leverkusen following a solid performance in the Under-20 World Cup, international media reported.
After spending a disappointing season with Mexican Club Atlas, Ortega will move to the European stage where he will compete in the German Bundesliga.
“Michael was sensational in the Under-20 world championships. He is a huge talent for the future,” said Bayer Leverkusen president Wolfgang Holzhauser.
The German team has Ortega on loan from Club Atlas for one year with the option to buy.
Ortega said he was not worried about adapting to life in the German league and culture in an interview with newspaper El Heraldo.
“In Germany they play with the same ball and are eleven against eleven. I am going to play football… I have no fear of the challenge of playing in Germany,” said the midfielder.
Ortega will spend another week in Colombia with his family before traveling to Germany to join his new team. Ortega will be the fourth Colombian soccer player in the Bundesliga.