German side Schalke sign midfielder Barnetta

 BERLIN, July 3 (Xinhua) -- German Bundesliga side Schalke secured Swiss international midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta on a free transfer until 2015, the club released on its website on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Swiss transfers from league rivals Bayer Leverkusen to receive jersey¹ No. 27 at Schalke. "We are delighted that Tranquillo had chosen for us. He has enormous qualities and is very versatile² which he proved with his performances. Furthermore we had the opportunity to sign him on a free transfer, " Schalke manager Horst Heldt said.

Barnetta played since 2004 for Bayer Leverkusen to score 23 goals in 187 official matches. He is also part of the Swiss national team, the "Nati", since 2004 to make eight goals in 59 international caps.

The royal blues³ finished the season on third position to participate in UEFA Champions League.

The Bundesliga campaign 2012/2013 will kick off on 25th August.

1 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

2 versatile   

adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的

参考例句：

• A versatile person is often good at a number of different things.多才多艺的人通常擅长许多种不同的事情。
• He had been one of the game's most versatile athletes.他是这项运动中技术最全面的运动员之一。

3 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。