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Fabian Schar: Switzerland international joins Hoffenheim

#INSERT type:image caption:Schar had attracted the attention of a number of European clubs. END#

Hoffenheim have continued their summer recruitment programme by signing defender Fabian Schar from Swiss champions Basel.

Schar moves to Hoffenheim, who finished eighth in the Bundesliga, on a four-year deal for a fee reported to be in the region of £5 million.

The 23-year-old Switzerland international had attracted interest from a number of European clubs after winning three consecutive Swiss Super League titles.

He told his new club's official website: "I have found in Hoffenheim the optimal conditions to develop myself.

"There is a young, ambitious team here and a perfect infrastructure."

Schar represented Switzerland at the 2014 World Cup and has amassed 12 caps to date, and Hoffenheim believe they have pulled off a coup by securing his services.

"Schar's build-up play is very good and he is someone who has already been able to gain international experience at a young age, yet still has plenty of potential," director of football Alexander Rosen said.

"For him to sign for Hoffenheim is certainly confirmation of the great work we are doing here."

The signing comes two days after Hoffenheim also agreed to sign midfielder Jonathan Schmid from relegated Freiburg.