AP, HAMBURG
Hamburger SV signed Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorin on Wednesday to improve its defense.

The Bundesliga club will pay Villarreal $3.9 million for the 30-year-old defender, who will earn $3.2 million annually plus an unspecified signing-on bonus.

“With his experience, Sorin can help us in the Champions League,” Hamburg coach Thomas Doll said.

He played at the World Cup and scored eight goals in 56 matches for the Spanish club.

Sorin, who was signed on the second last day before the transfer deadline, is expected to bring experience to a team that lost several veterans after finishing third last year in the Bundesliga.

Midfielder Sergei Barbarez signed with Bayer Leverkusen, while central defenders Daniel van Buyten (Bayern Munich) and Khalid Boulahrouz (Chelsea) also moved on.

Hamburg has drawn five straight games — three in the Bundesliga and two in Champions League qualifying — with the new players struggling to adapt.

The club’s defense, second best in the Bundesliga last season, has also been hit by injuries and suspensions.

Last week, Hamburg signed Netherlands center back Joris Mathijsen and the club is also reportedly looking for a forward before the transfer window closes.