Liverpool Legend

Description
Philipp Degen (born 15 February 1983 in Hölstein) is a Swiss international defender who currently plays for Premier League side Liverpool. Degen is usually a right-back but, if required, can also play at left-back. He began his professional career at Swiss team FC Basel, playing four seasons at the club before moving to Borussia Dortmund. He then spent three years at the German club, his last season being marred by injury. Degen signed for Liverpool on a free transfer on 3 July 2008.

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

Club career
In 1987, Degen began playing for the youth team FC Oberdorf and made the transition to professional football in 1995, signing for the Swiss team FC Basel. He spent five seasons in the youth team before making his first team debut in 2001. In the first four seasons of his 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 his brother, David Degen.Over this four year period he 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 he made 68 first team appearances, scoring 1 goal. Degen's last season at Dortmund the 2007-08 season was marred by injury as he only made 12 first team appearances.

On 3 July 2008, Degen signed for Liverpool on a free transfer on a 4 year contract. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez described him as "an offensive player with great energy and a winning mentality. His strength is going forward and I am confident he will be prove to be a quality addition to our squad."On his move to Liverpool, Degen said

"The move is a challenge for me because Liverpool are not just any club. They play every year for the title and the Champions League so it is clear to me that it's not easy to get through to the team. All the positions at Liverpool are occupied by two or three players already. But my playing style suits the Premier League, where the football is played moving forward."

Degen made his Liverpool debut on 12 July 2008 as a half-time substitute in a friendly against Tranmere Rovers which they won 1–0.

International
Degen played for the Swiss team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, until they were knocked out on penalties by Ukraine 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
His twin brother, David, is also a footballer and plays for FC Basel, where both made their professional debut.