|
| Sascha Riether |
| Position |
Defender/
Midfielder |
| P.O.B. |
Lahr,
Germany |
| D.O.B. |
23/03/83 |
| Height |
5' 09 |
| Club |
FC Köln |
|
Wikipedia |
Fulham have completed the signing of Cologne's Germany international defender Sascha Riether on a season-long loan.
The former Wolfsburg player, 29, moves to England following Cologne's relegation from the Bundesliga.
The Cottagers have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of Riether's loan spell in London.
"Fulham is a good club, a big club with a big tradition and for me it's great to be here," he said.
"I feel very pleased to have signed. It feels like I've had a long break from football and for me this is a new experience in a new country."
Stephen Kelly and Zdenek Grygera, who both played right-back for Fulham last season, are currently out of contract.
Fulham FC statement:
Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce the season-long loan signing of Sascha Riether from FC Cologne with an option to acquire the player at the end of the loan period.
The 29-year-old right-back spent last season at FC Cologne having signed from VfL Wolfsburg in 2010.
Riether, born in Lahr, Germany, has made two international appearances. He made his debut for Germany against Denmark, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2-2 draw in August 2010. A month later he made his first start in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Azerbaijan which Germany won 6-1.
He started his senior career at SC Freiburg in 2002 where he made 139 appearances in five seasons before making the move to VfL Wolfsburg in 2007. He spent four seasons there and made 116 appearances.
VfL Wolfsburg were crowned Bundesliga Champions at the end of the 2008/09 campaign and qualified for the Champions League in 2009/10. Riether played in all six group fixtures for the German champions which included two matches against Manchester United.
That season, VfL Wolfsburg was eventually paired with Fulham in the quarter final of the Europa League, having finished their CL group in third place. Riether played in midfield in the home and away legs against his new club Fulham, who went on to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate en route to the 2010 Europa League Final.
Speaking at Fulham's Motspur Park training ground this morning, Sascha Riether said:
"I feel very pleased to have signed. It feels like I've had a long break from football and for me this is a new experience in a new country. Fulham is a good club, a big club with a big tradition and for me it's great to be here. I played here one time with Wolfsburg and I remember Craven Cottage being a great stadium with great fans, and I hope I can go on to have a great season here."