Mutually terminated contract with Union following 2016 season.
After opening his Union career on the left wing, longtime Bundesliga veteran Barnetta has assumed a comfortable role in central midfield. His versatility allows him to play either box-to-box (as a "No. 8") or as an attacking mid ("No. 10"). He speaks five languages, including: English, German, Italian, Spanish and French.
INTERNATIONAL: Barnetta has made 75 appearances for the Swiss National Team, most recently on Oct. 14, 2014 in an European Cup qualifier against San Marino. He’s been a member on each of Switzerland’s last three World Cup teams, notably helping to lead the 2006 Swiss roster into the knockout round of a FIFA World Cup for the first time in 12 years and for just the second time since 1938. Barnetta also played in all three games at Euro 2008, in which Switzerland was the host nation.
OUTSIDE MLS: Having spent his entire career in the German Bundesliga, Barnetta played the last three seasons with Schalke 04, making 60 appearances across all competitions. The Swiss midfielder's only other professional club is Bayer Leverkusen, where he signed when he was just 19 years old. Barnetta made 229 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring 26 goals with 51 assists in seven seasons. He’s gone on loan to Hannover 96 and Eintracht Frankfurt, and has extensive experience playing in European Cups, including the UEFA Champions League (11 appearances for Schalke) and Europa League.
