Degen leaves Liverpool for Stuttgart

(GSM) – Liverpool have confirmed that full-back Philipp Degen will spend the entire next season on loan at Stuttgart.

The 27-year-old had joined Liverpool from Borussia Dortmund in 2008 but has struggled for first-team opportunities.

With new Reds boss Roy Hodgson looking to give more chances to the reserve players, the Swiss international has been told he will be allowed to return to Germany for the coming campaign.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and the wonderful VfB fans,” Degen said on the club’s official website. “I really want to make use of my chance. It’s fantastic to be working together with Christian Gross again. I had a very successful time with him in Basel.”

Stuttgart boss Gross added: “I know Philipp very well and rate him highly both as a football player and as a person. He is a very athletic and fast player, who often looks to push forward. Philipp wants to take his chance at VfB.”