name: Raphael Wicky position: M height: 5-10 weight:165 Birthdate: April 26, 1977 Hometown: Steg, Switzerland

date	clubs	video description
04/05/08	Real Salt Lake @ Chivas USA	04/05/08: Raphael Wicky pregame interview

Prior to opening training camp before the 2008 season, Chivas USA announced the signing of Switzerland international midfielder Raphaël Wicky, a World Cup veteran with over decade's professional experience in Germany, Spain and Switzerland, as well as the UEFA Champions League. Wicky has amassed over 70 international appearances for the Swiss National Team, including as a starter at the 2004 European Championships and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, joins Chivas USA as an International Player, pending receipt of his work visa and International Transfer Certificate.

Wicky, whose résumé includes stints with German powerhouses Hamburg SV and Werder Bremen, as well as Spain's Atlético Madrid (2000-2001), joins Chivas USA from FC Sion in his native Switzerland, where he first started his professional career. Prior to rejoining Sion, Wicky spent six seasons in the German Bundesliga with Hamburg SV (2001-2007), where he accumulated 126 appearances, including in the UEFA Champions League. He spent the 2000-2001 season with Atlético Madrid, then of Spain's second division, following three years with his first Bundesliga club, Werder Bremen (1997-2000), where he won the German Cup in 1999. Wicky made his first division professional debut at FC Sion of Switzerland, where he played from 1993-1997, winning the Swiss league championship in 1997, as well as Swiss Cup titles in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

On the international level, Wicky has represented Switzerland in major international tournaments since 1996, including the European championships in 1996, at age 19, and Euro 2004, where he started all three games for his country. In 2006, at the FIFA World Cup in Germany, Wicky started all four games before Switzerland was eliminated on penalty kicks against the Ukraine in the second round, finishing the tournament as the only team not to give up a goal during regulation time. In all, Wicky has accumulated 75 international matches for Switzerland, which co-hosts the 2008 European Championships this summer.

Born April 26, 1977 in Leuggern, Switzerland, Wicky is fluent in Spanish, English, French and German.

IN HIS OWN WORDS