Berner bound for Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers FC have signed Switzerland left-back Bruno Berner from FC Basel 1893 on an 18-month contract with the option of a further season.

Modest fee
Blackburn said "a small transfer fee" had been paid for the 29-year-old defender, who has won 16 caps. Having already played for Basel in this season's UEFA Cup, Berner will be ineligible for Mark Hughes's side's own campaign in the competition, where they face Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the Round of 32 next month.

Unused substitute
The Zurich-born Berner started his career with hometown club Grasshopper-Club, spending five seasons there before trying his luck with SC Freiburg. After three campaigns in Germany, he moved back to Switzerland to join Basel at the start of last season.