Nuremberg takes midfielder Hegeler on loan

Midfielder Jens Hegeler has joined Nuremberg on a two-year loan from Bundesliga rival Bayer Leverkusen.

Nuremberg coach Dieter Hecking said Tuesday that the 22-year-old Hegeler, who had been on loan at second-division Augsburg since early 2009, is versatile and can play as a defender.

The club is strengthening its squad after narrowly avoiding relegation from the top division. It finished third from bottom and salvaged its top-flight status in a playoff against Augsburg.