BERLIN (AFP) - Bundesliga title contenders Werder Bremen will strengthen their squad for next season with Austrian defender Sebastian Proedl who will join the north German club in the summer on a four-year contract.

The 20-year-old centre back joins Bremen from Austrian league leaders Graz.

"I decided early on to join Werder, because I like the atmosphere in the side and the work ethic," said Proedl.

Proedl made his debut for Austria while still a teenager and has won seven senior caps for his country.

He was part of the Austrian team which caused an upset by reaching the semi-finals of the Under-20 World Cup in Canada last year.