Hilbert swells Beşiktaş's German contingent

Beşiktaş JK have signed former Germany midfielder Roberto Hilbert on a free transfer as they prepare for their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie against Faroese side Vikingur.

The 25-year-old right winger, who spent the last four seasons at VfB Stuttgart, will join compatriots Fabian Ernst and Michael Fink with his new club. "I feel honoured to sign for such a big club as Beşiktaş," he said. "I know the board and the fans have high expectations of me and I will be glad to meet those."

Hilbert was capped eight times by Germany during his time with Stuttgart, which saw him score 16 goals in 120 league games, winning the Bundesliga title in 2006/07. Beşiktaş are now coached by a German, with one-time Real Madrid CF boss Bernd Schuster replacing Mustafa Denizli, who led the club to a fourth-placed 2009/10 league finish.

Meanwhile, Necip Uysal has signed a four-year extension to his contract which was due to expire next May. The Turkey midfielder, 19, played 11 league matches last season and made his international debut against Honduras in March. Reserve goalkeeper Hakan Arıkan also extended his contract by a further three years.