Hertha sign Bastians, retain Lell

Hertha Berlin have completed the signing of Freiburg defender Felix Bastians while also agreeing a contract extension with Christian Lell until 2016. An agreement had already been reached between Bastians and Berlin over a transfer in the summer, when he would have become a free agent, but the club from the German capital have decided to complete a deal with Freiburg now for an undisclosed fee. Bastians has penned a contract until 2016 and becomes Michael Skibbe's first signing as Hertha coach. "A transfer this winter was the best solution for everybody involved," said Hertha's general manager Michael Preetz on his club's website. Skibbe added: "He is a versatile player who can provide me with a good alternative in the distant and also in the near future." Meanwhile, Lell will also commit to the club until 2016 in the next few days. The 27-year-old, who joined from Bayern Munich two years ago, has given the club his word and now just has to sign the new contract.