LEVERKUSEN, July 20 (SW) - Tunisia defender Karim Haggui has joined Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee, signing a three-year contract with the German club.

The 22-year-old, who started his career at Etoile du Sahel, leaves relegated French club RC Strasbourg after playing 43 Ligue 1 matches and winning the 2005 French Cup.

Haggui was impressive during Tunisia’s ill-fated 2006 World Cup campaign and has made 29 international appearances and scored four goals for his country.

Leverkusen finished fifth in the Bundesliga last season, qualifying for 2006/07 UEFA Cup play.