Timo Perthel is leaving Werder Bremen with immediate effect, being sent on loan for one year to Austrian club SK Sturm Graz, who finished fourth in the Austrian Bundesliga last season. Manager Klaus Allofs made the announcement on Friday. The 21-year-old Perthel has a contract with the Green-Whites until 2012.

"Timo Perthel goes to a very well organised club and will continue to develop in the new environment," said Allofs about the transfer. "Timo was with us during our intensive preparation, now he has to take the next step. And in order for him to make his way with us this stepping stone makes sense for him," added head coach Thomas Schaaf. The former youth club of Werder’s Austrian international Sebastian Prödl has two former German Bundesliga players Franco Foda und Oliver Kreutzer as head coach and manager. After four game days, Graz are ranked sixth on the table.

Timo Perthel transferred from TUS Syke to the Werder Bremen youths at 10 years of age before going through various youth teams. He made his debut in the third division in 2008-09 and played in 62 matches in that league. In 2009, Perthel earned his only Bundesliga appearance against Cologne. Perthel also has played for the German national team at the U18, U19 and U20 levels, earning 13 total caps.