Stoke City loan Kevin Wimmer to Hannover

Stoke City defender Kevin Wimmer has been sent on loan to Bundesliga club Hannover 96.

The 25-year-old only joined Stoke from Tottenham Hotspur last summer in a £18m switch, but has not featured for the Potters since January.

Following the appointment of Gary Rowett as manager, Wimmer has been shifted out of the recently-relegated squad after the player had ongoing fitness problems throughout last season.

The Austrian international already has experience in Germany, having played for Cologne for three years prior to signing for Tottenham.

Wimmer's loan deal with Hannover includes an option for the Bundesliga side to buy the centre-back on a permanent basis.