Bundesliga
Switzerland captain Lichtsteiner joins Augsburg
Augsburg have secured the services of Switzerland captain and former Juventus and Arsenal full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner on a one-year deal valid until the end of the current season.
The 35-year-old, a free agent after leaving English Premier League club Arsenal at the end of last season, joins die Fuggerstädter on a free transfer and brings with him a wealth of experience at the top of the European game.
In seven years with Juventus, Lichtsteiner won seven Serie A titles and made 236 appearances for the Old Lady in Serie A, scoring 13 goals. Furthermore, the former Grasshoppers, Lille and Lazio defender made 31 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, including the 2015 final.
"Augsburg are a club that have developed really well in the last few years," Lichtsteiner told the official Augsburg website. "This step is exactly the kind of challenge I was looking for after my spell in England. I have the feeling that I can bring a lot to this hungry young team. That and the fantastic atmosphere in the Bundesliga are both very appealing to me."
He then moved to London, where he made 20 outings last term, including six in the Europa League. He has also been capped 105 times by his country and is still Switzerland's captain.
His arrival fills a void left by the departure of Jonathan Schmid to Freiburg and is a much-needed fillip to coach Martin Schmidt, who has seen his side lose in the first round of the DFB Cup to Verl and go down 5-1 to Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 1 of the new Bundesliga season.