Berlin, Aug 14 (IANS): Chilean international Charles Aranguiz has joined Bayer Leverkusen, the German football club confirmed via the club's official homepage.

After protracted negotiations, Leverkusen were able to sign the midfielder who has put pen to paper on a five-year deal that keeps him in Leverkusen until June 2020, reports Xinhua.

"Charles Aranguiz increases the quality of our team. With his signing we get the desired candidate for our midfield," Leverkusen's sporting director Rudi Voeller told the club's official homepage on Thursday.

The 26-year-old new arrival made 40 caps scoring four goals for the Chilean national team. He scored in addition 11 goals in 55 appearances for Brazilian outfit Sport Club Internacional after one season.

"The Bundesliga is one of the best and most attractive leagues in the world. I have heard a lot about Leverkusen and they are since years among the top teams. My national teammate Arturo Vidal has raved about Leverkusen so I wanted to join this club," Aranguiz said.

Bayer Leverkusen encounter Hoffenheim for their German league season opener on August 15.