Forward Diego has thanked Werder Bremen for giving him his big break after he agreed to join Juventus next season.

The Brazilian will join the Serie A side for 24.5 million euros, a fee which could rise to 27 million should he help the Bianconeri to success over the next three years.

Diego says he will never forget his time in Bremen, though.

"It was the most beautiful three years of my life," he said. "I have become a top star in Europe just because Werder gave me a chance.

"I will miss the fans and the atmosphere in the city."

Bremen signed Diego for six million euros from Porto three years ago, meaning they have earned over 20 million on the 24-year-old, who will make his final appearance for the club in the DFB-Pokal final against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Bremen's fans will be sad to see the playmaker leave, but with just two years left on his contract, they risked losing him next summer for a reduced fee.

And as Diego has always maintained it was his ambition to play at a club where he can win the Champions League, a competition which Bremen failed to qualify for this year, the move was inevitable.

"We are sad Diego is going because he was a real enrichment for the Bundesliga, but we have done some good business,"said director of sport Klaus Allofs.