Behrami joins Hamburg
Hamburg - Valon Behrami has completed his move from SSC Napoli to Hamburger SV, where he has penned a three-year contract.
'Delighted to be here'
The Swiss international, who appeared in all four of his nation's matches at the World Cup this summer and has been capped a total of 52 times by his country, becomes the northern Germany side's second major signing this summer after Pierre-Michel Lasogga.
"I already feel really good and I'm delighted to be here," Behrami said on his new club's website. "Hamburg is a new experience for me and they are a great club. This is a very important moment of my career."
The 29-year-old requested a move from Napoli this summer after failing to break into their first team on a more regular basis. The former CFC Genoa, Hellas Verona, SS Lazio, West Ham United FC and ACF Fiorentina midfielder prefers a more defensive role to the one he was given at the Italian club last season. "I think that's where my strength lies - in the tackle, and tactically," he said.
Fitting in
His value can be read into the words of Napoli's president Aurelio De Laurentiis. "Valon always honoured the shirt he wore and gave a great deal to Napoli," he said. "I would like to thank him for his great sacrifice, great professionalism and for being a true warrior."
Those are just some of the qualities Hamburg can now look forward to with Behrami already training with his new team-mates in preparation for his Bundesliga debut, having previously played in Swiss, English and Italian football.
