Day: July 4, 2012

Tranquillo Barnetta signs with Schalke 04Tranquillo Barnetta signs with Schalke 04

Swiss midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta has joined FC Schalke 04 after the expiry of his Bayer 04 Leverkusen contract.

“We’re delighted that Tranquillo has opted to join our club,” said Schalke’s director of sport Horst Heldt.

“He has an enormous quality and is very versatile, which he has already proven for Leverkusen as well as the Swiss national team. Furthermore we had the opportunity to sign him on a free transfer.”

Barnetta moved to Leverkusen from St Gallen in 2004, going out on loan before making an impression in the Bayer first-team. However, with no new deal offered, the 59-cap international has found alternative employment for the next campaign.

Favre and Gladbach agreed on contract extensionFavre and Gladbach agreed on contract extension

Borussia Mönchengladbach and head coach Lucien Favre have reached an agreement on an early contract extension after the Swiss native helped guide the Foals to a Champions League spot.

“I have been in talks for a long time with the club’s board and management and am pleased about having signed a contract extension and the delightful challenges that lie ahead of us,” said Favre.

The Swiss head coach went on to steer the Foals clear of the relegation battle before inspiring his young and energetic side to clinch the UEFA Champions League play-off spot in the most recent Bundesliga campaign.