VIKTOR FISCHER has left Middlesbrough to join German Bundesliga club Mainz on a four-year contract.

Fischer leaves just a year after signing for Boro, with the Teessiders understood to have recouped the vast majority of the £3.8m they shelled out to sign him from Ajax 12 months ago.


The 23-year-old was unable to make much of an impression at the Riverside, and leaves having made just six Premier League starts for Boro.

He also made seven league substitute appearances and a further three starts in the cup competitions, and did not find the net for Teessiders.

"Mainz is the right club for me to enjoy my football again," said Fischer, whose time on Teesside was blighted by a persistent knee problem.

"Mainz is a beautiful city, we have a great stadium, I want to be a part of this team and this club quickly. I want to get in shape and then bring my qualities as an offensive player."

Fischer was regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Europe when he originally broke through at Ajax, and Mainz will be hoping he can rediscover his top form in the Bundesliga.

"Viktor Fischer is a very exciting player with great potential," said Mainz sporting director Rouven Schroder.

"He is also a technically savvy, tricky and powerful attacker, whose quality will improve and make our team more versatile. We are delighted that he has chosen a future at Mainz 05."