Philipp Degen

Philipp Degen (born 15 February 1983 in Hölstein, Switzerland) is a Switzerland national football team defender who currently plays for Premier League side Liverpool F.C.. Degen is usually a Association football positions Full-back (FB/RB/LB) but, if required, can also play at Defender (association football). Philipp Degen began Philipp Degen professional career at Swiss team FC Basel, playing four seasons at the club before moving to Borussia Dortmund. Philipp Degen then spent three years at the Germany club, Philipp Degen last season being marred by injury. Degen signed for Liverpool on a free transfer (football) on 3 July 2008.

In Philipp Degen international career, Degen reached the last 16 in the 2006 FIFA World Cup with the Switzerland national football team. Philipp Degen was selected again for the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament but did not play any games.

Club career

In 1987, Degen the Youth system FC Oberdorf and made the transition to professional football in 1995, signing for the Swiss team FC Basel. Philipp Degen spent five seasons in the youth team before making Philipp Degen first team debut in 2001. In the first four seasons of Philipp Degen senior career Degen made 69 first team appearances and scored 4 goals for Basel. Degen spent the 2002-03 season on loan to FC Aarau making 16 appearances and playing in the same team as Philipp Degen brother, David Degen. Over this four year period Philipp Degen claimed three league titles and one domestic cup with Basel, managed by Christian Gross.

Degen was then signed by Borussia Dortmund of the German Bundesliga and in three seasons at the club Philipp Degen made 68 first team appearances, scoring 1 goal. Degen's last season at Dortmund the Fußball-Bundesliga 2007–08 was marred by injury as Philipp Degen only made 12 first team appearances. Liverpool Football Manager Rafael Benítez described Philipp Degen as "an offensive player with great energy and a winning mentality. Philipp Degen strength is going forward and I am confident Philipp Degen will be prove to be a quality addition to our squad." On Philipp Degen move to Liverpool, Degen said {{quote in the 2–1 home win against Crewe Alexandra F.C., during which Philipp Degen broke two of Philipp Degen ribs and punctured Philipp Degen lung in a collision with team-mate Sami Hyypiä and was out for two months.,

On Wednesday 12 November 2008 Philipp Degen made Philipp Degen first-team comeback in the 4-2 Carling Cup defeat at Spurs, only to suffer a broken metarsal.

Degen was quoted after the game. "This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me," "I simply burst into tears in the dressing-room. Tottenham's Gareth Bale made a bad challenge on me, and I did not even get a penalty. "But the bone in my foot is torn apart, and I will be out another four to six weeks. It is the saddest event of my life - I keep asking myself if I did something wrong in a past life."

In January 2009 Degen suffered another metarsal injury after scoring in a 2-2 draw with Manchester United reserves. On 9 May 2009, Philipp Degen returned to the Liverpool first team as an unused substitute in Liverpool's 3-0 victory against West Ham United F.C. at Boleyn Ground.

International career

Degen played for the Switzerland national football team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, until they were knocked out on penalties by Ukraine national football team in the last 16. Despite having been injured for much of the season, Degen formed part of the Swiss squad for the UEFA Euro 2008 tournament. However, the host nation were knocked out in the group stage of the tournament and Degen did not make any appearances.

Personal life

Philipp Degen twin brother, David Degen, is also a footballer and plays for BSC Young Boys.