Sevilla sign Danish midfielder Poulsen

MADRID, June 13 (Reuters) UEFA Cup winners Sevilla have signed Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen from Schalke 04 on a three-year contract.

''I had offers from other Spanish clubs but decided on Sevilla because they have a good team, a great future and it is a place where I can develop as a footballer,'' Poulsen told a news conference today.

The 26-year-old, who joined Schalke from FC Copenhagen in 2002, was a member of the Denmark squads who competed in the 2002 World Cup finals and Euro 2004.

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido said the club had not paid a transfer fee. He said it had been a difficult to secure the player because he had had a pre-contract agreement with Villarreal, which was now ''invalid''.

''We believe we have signed one of the best players in Europe who was wanted by a number of powerful European clubs,'' said Del Nido.

He added the club were hoping to sign ''at least two more players''.

Sevilla, who knocked out Schalke in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup last season, finished fifth in the Primera Liga.

REUTERS DH ND2126