Bremen sign Schalke youngster Schmitz until 2015

     BERLIN, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Schalke midfielder Lukas Schmitz joined league rivals¹ Bremen on a four-year contract, Bremen manager Klaus Allofs confirmed on Friday.

    "We have tried hard in recent weeks to sign him and we are glad that we could realize that. We gain a viable² player to which we will set out on a successful path," Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said.

    Youngster Schmitz was in 2009 equipped with a professional contract at Schalke and then became part of the starting team on the left wing. Schmitz made 52 official Bundesliga matches, with eight Champions League matches and nine German Cup appearances.

    "If you are working with the Bundesliga, then you must deal also with Bremen. They have always provided³ strong teams. I m glad that I can now be part of Bremen," midfielder Schmitz said after the signing.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 rivals   

竞争对手( rival的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• one of the President's chief rivals 总统的主要政敌之一
• She always managed to outsmart her political rivals. 她总有办法表现得比她的政敌智高一筹。

2 viable   

adj.可行的，切实可行的，能活下去的

参考例句：

• The scheme is economically viable.这个计划从经济效益来看是可行的。
• The economy of the country is not viable.这个国家经济是难以维持的。

3 provided   

conj.假如，若是；adj.预备好的，由...供给的

参考例句：

• Provided it's fine we will have a pleasant holiday.如果天气良好，我们的假日将过得非常愉快。
• I will come provided that it's not raining tomorrow.如果明天不下雨，我就来。