CHARLOTTE, United States - Argentina forward Walter Herrmann, a member of the 2004 Olympic gold medal squad, was signed to a National Basketball Association contract by the Charlotte Bobcats.

Argentina forward Walter Herrmann, a member of the 2004 Olympic gold medal squad seen here in August 2006, was signed to a National Basketball Association contract by the Charlotte Bobcats.[AFP]

The 27-year-old veteran averaged 9.8 points a game on 50 percent shooting from the field in the World Basketball Championships, helping the South American squad to a fourth-place showing earlier this month.

"We are pleased to add Walter Herrmann to our team," Bobcats coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "He has a good track record with his performance in arguably the best league outside of the NBA."

Argentina, which boasted NBA standouts Manu Ginobili of San Antonio and Andres Nocioni of Chicago, lost a semi-final to eventual champion Spain by a single point and dropped the third-place game to a US squad of NBA standouts.

"It has always been a dream of mine to be in the NBA, but the moment never was right," Herrmann said.

"I have known that Charlotte has had interest in me for a couple of years now and this summer I finally got to meet coach Bickerstaff and spend a day with their summer league team.

"I was very impressed by everything about the organization and was happy they wanted to sign me."

Herrmann, a former Player of the Year in the Spanish league, has played in 379 games in Spain and Argentina with career averages of 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, while shooting 53 percent from the field.

"The success of countrymen like Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni have had in the NBA translates well for Walter as he brings the toughness and intensity they exemplify and that has been the Bobcats' trademark," Bickerstaff said.