Former Serie A and Premier League defender joins FCD

FRISCO – FC Dallas has signed center back Reto Ziegler from Swiss first division side FC Luzern, pending receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate, the club announced today. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

UPDATE: In signing Reto Ziegler, FC Dallas traded $50,000 of General Allocation Money to New York City FC for the Right of First Refusal on the player.

Ziegler, 31, has spent the last four seasons in Switzerland’s top league after 145 appearances in Italy’s Serie A and 34 appearances in the English Premier League for Tottenham and Wigan Athletic. Since the start of the 2015-16 season, he has made 64 starts and has scored 13 goals.

A member of the Swiss National Team, the defender has earned 34 caps all-time and has been named to two World Cup squads (2010 and 2014), starting all three games during Switzerland’s 2010 tournament.

Full Name: Reto Ziegler

Pronunciation: REH-tow ZEE-glur

Date of Birth: January 16, 1986 (31)

Hometown: Genève, Switzerland

Birthplace: Genève, Switzerland

Height: 6-0

Weight: 176 lbs

Position: Defender

Country: Switzerland

Transaction: FC Dallas signs defender Reto Ziegler