VfB Stuttgart have made their third signing of the January transfer window by bringing in Romania midfielder Alexandru Maxim from CS Pandurii Târgu Jiu.

The 22-year-old penned a contract running until June 2017 after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the player, who has scored two goals in four international appearances. Maxim follows striker Federico Macheda (Manchester United FC) and defender Felipe Lopes (VfL Wolfsburg) in joining the Bundesliga's 11th-placed side this month.

Maxim, formerly with RCD Espanyol, said: "VfB Stuttgart are a huge club, I'm delighted to be here. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world. It's a great opportunity for me to develop as a player, but it's also a big challenge. Now I want to get to know my team-mates as quickly as possible and show what I can do."

Stuttgart, who on Wednesday extended the contract of coach Bruno Labbadia until summer 2015, meet KRC Genk in the UEFA Europa League round of 32 on 14 and 21 February.

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