With Martin Harnik, another of Werder’s own young talents has made the leap into the full professional squad. The 20 year old srtriker signed his first professional contract on Friday which will tie him to the club for a further three years until 30.06.2010: “It’s a dream come true for me. I’m delighted that Werder Bremen have put their trust in me despite the long term injury I’d suffered and I’m determined to take my chance”, glowed Harnik who broje his foot back in January and was forced out of the side for a long period.

Trainer Thomas Schaaf is expecting big things from his new attacking option: “Martin has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years but was set back somewhat by injury. He came back though and displayed his abilities again, which leads me to look forward to seeing him develop further together with us in the future.” The Werder coach is in no doubt that the Austrian junior international could make some appearances in the Bundesliga: “As a young player he still has a lot to learn but he has a lot of potential. He will particularly profit from his pace.”

Martin Harnik, who just this week successfully completed his apprenticeship as an insurance clerk, will have the chance to show just what he is capable of at the under 20 World Championships which will begin in Canada on June 30th. “The contract is an extra motivation and gives me even more self confidence. It’s nice to know that I will be there representing Werder Bremen too”, explained the striker who will play for the Austrian selection due to face Congo, hosts Canada and Chile in the first round. “It would be a real highlight to progress from the group stage – anything is possible at the knock-out stage.”

The Hamburg born player, who qualifies to play for Austria through his father, intends to focus full on the Green-Whites when he returns from Canada. The youngster is all too aware that the contract with Werder carries a great deal of responsibility along with it: “I know that my development is far from being complete and that I will have to raise my game but I am used to the pressure of performing as well as the competition for places and with that am ready to take on the responsibility and accept the challenge.”

In January 2006, Martin Harnik came to Werder Bremen from SC Vier – und Marschlande and in his time on the Weser he has made 34 appearances in the ‘Regionalliga’, scoring nine goals. The Austrian international has also made ten appearances for his country’s Under 19 selection and three for the Under 20’s.