Bochum have signed Mimoun Azaouagh on a permanent basis from Schalke 04 after a successful loan spell.

The 25-year-old midfielder has spent the second-half of the season on loan from the Gelsenkirchen club, and has scored three times in his 14 appearances for Bochum.

Azaouagh, who was born in Morocco but is a German national, has now signed a deal with the club which runs until 2012, and Bochum have paid Schalke an undisclosed fee.

Bochum had briefly been in the relegation zone earlier in the season, but the three strikes and five assists from Azaouagh helped them move 10 points off the bottom three.

They are now guaranteed to finish their second season back in the top flight no lower than 13th place with one game of the season remaining.

Eurosport