Wolfsburg signs Mario Gomez from Fiorentina

VfL Wolfsburg has signed Germany striker Mario Gomez out of Italian outfit Fiorentina, the Bundesliga club announced Wednesday, a move that bolsters its attacking ranks after releasing Nicklas Bendtner and selling Max Kruse and Andre Schurrle in the summer transfer window.

Gomez, 31, returns to the German top flight after spending the last three years in Italy. He was loaned to Turkish side Besiktas last season and tallied 26 goals in 33 appearances, finishing top in scoring in the Super Lig.

He enjoyed tenures at VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich prior to his move to Fiorentina, and has already amassed 236 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 138 goals. Gomez was also part of Germany's squad for the last three European Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Gomez scored two goals in Germany's run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, but was ruled out early with a thigh injury suffered against Italy.

Though Gomez has been in and out of the German national team in recent years due to form, Wolfsburg head coach Dieter Hecking's opinion of the player remains high.

"Mario is the best German striker in my opinion," Hecking said in a club statement. "His success and goal tally speaks for itself. In addition, he possesses leadership qualities and has a clear vision, which is congruent with our own. He suits our team and this club perfectly."

Gomez expressed his delight in returning to Germany, and the club is set to officially unveil the new No. 33 on Thursday.

"I am really looking forward to this this new challenge," Gomez said in a club statement. "The talks held with (sporting director) Klaus Allofs and Dieter Hecking were very good. I am delighted to be returning to the Bundesliga. I want to return to the international stage along with VfL and I firmly believe we will achieve that."