/world sport
(CNN) -- Finland international striker Mikael Forssell has ended his English career after sealing a switch to German side Hannover on Friday.
Mikael Forssell, right, in action for Finland during Wednesday's 2-0 friendly defeat by Turkey.
The 27-year-old has joined on a free transfer from Birmingham City, whose relegation from the Premier League this season left his future in doubt.
Forssell, who scored 10 goals for the club but could not prevent their drop on the final day of the season, was free to move on as his contract had expired.
Birmingham had been in talks to keep him but his wage bill was a stumbling block, and the Midlands outfit also have several other strikers on their books.
The Bundesliga club, who finished eighth and missed a place in the UEFA Cup, announced that Forssell had signed a contract until the end of the 2010-11 season.
"I am very pleased we have convinced Mikael to come to Hannover," said sporting director Christian Hochstatter said on their Web site.
The player added: "I look forward to playing for Hannover in the Bundesliga."
Forssell, who has been plagued by injuries in his time at Birmingham, had a brief spell in the Bundesliga on loan with Borussia Monchengladbach in 2003, where he worked with Hochstatter.
He began his career with HJK Helsinki before moving to Chelsea in 1998, but failed to win a regular place with the English club and was farmed out to Crystal Palace, Monchengladbach and Birmingham.
He made a big impression at St Andrews and earned a contract despite suffering a broken leg, signing in a $6 million deal in the summer of 2005.
In Friday's other English transfer news, Wales striker Rob Earnshaw left relegated Derby in a $5.3 million deal to join Nottingham Forest, who have won promotion into the second tier.
Tottenham appear set for a transfer tribunal hearing after luring promising teenager John Bostock away from division two side Crystal Palace.
Spurs, who have qualified for next season's UEFA Cup, announced the signing of the 16-year-old on their Web site but their London rivals issued an angry statement insisting that no deal had been agreed.
"I am definitely ready to make this move and Spurs is the team I wanted to join," the England youth international said. "I feel this is a club with a great future and this is where I want to be to develop my potential and improve as a player."
All About Mikael Forssell • Birmingham City FC • Hannover • European Football
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