Berner hoping for better at Basel

Switzerland defender Bruno Berner is heading home from German football to join FC Basel 1893.

International class
The 27-year-old has played 16 times for his country but has not made an appearance since the final warm-up match before UEFA EURO 2004™ last summer. Berner, who can operate either at left-back or in central defence, has a three-year contract with the Swiss champions.

German spell
The former Grasshopper-Club player signed for SC Freiburg before the 2002/03 season and went on to make 76 appearances over three campaigns. However, he played only a dozen games in 2004/05, with six of those coming from the bench as Freiburg were relegated from the Bundesliga. Basel will try to reach the UEFA Champions League group stage via the third qualifying round in August.