Bayer Leverkusen have signed Polish defender Radoslav Kaluzny from Energie Cottbus as cover for the injured Jens Nowotny.

The struggling Bundesliga club will pay €2m for the 28-year-old defender.

Nowotny who returned to action on Sunday after a 9 month absence through injury, is expected to be out of action for a further eight months after tearing the cruciate ligament in his comeback match.

Last year’s runners-up in the Bundesliga and the Champions League have struggled this season and the loss of Nowotny represents a significant setback.