Reto Ziegler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Reto Ziegler

Ziegler with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2012
Personal information
Full name	Reto Pirmin Ziegler
Date of birth	(1986-01-16) 16 January 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Geneva, Switzerland
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Left-back
Team information
Current team	Sion
Number	3
Youth career
1993–1995	Gland
1995–1997	Servette
1997–1998	US Terre Sainte
1998–2000	Servette
2000–2002	Grasshoppers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2004	Grasshoppers	41	(0)
2004–2007	Tottenham Hotspur	24	(1)
2005–2006	→ Hamburger SV (loan)	8	(0)
2006	→ Wigan Athletic (loan)	10	(0)
2007	→ Sampdoria (loan)	15	(1)
2007–2011	Sampdoria	127	(4)
2011–2015	Juventus	0	(0)
2011–2012	→ Fenerbahçe (loan)	38	(1)
2012–2013	→ Lokomotiv Moscow (loan)	6	(0)
2013	→ Fenerbahçe (loan)	16	(0)
2013–2014	→ Sassuolo (loan)	17	(0)
2015–2017	Sion	72	(12)
2017	Luzern	9	(2)
2018–2020	FC Dallas	80	(11)
2021–2022	Lugano	58	(7)
2023–	Sion	62	(9)
International career
2000–2001	Switzerland U15	4	(1)
2001–2003	Switzerland U17	8	(0)
2003–2004	Switzerland U18	4	(0)
2004	Switzerland U19	4	(0)
2004–2009	Switzerland U21	30	(2)
2005–2014	Switzerland	35	(1)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Switzerland UEFA European Under-17 Championship Winner 2002 Denmark
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 June 2025

Reto Pirmin Ziegler (born 16 January 1986) is a Swiss professional footballer. He plays as a left-back for the Swiss Super League club Sion.

Ziegler has played top-level football in seven different countries. He played 35 games for the Swiss national team. He also represented Switzerland in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

Reto Ziegler's Football Journey

Starting His Career in Switzerland

Reto Ziegler began his football journey in Switzerland. He played for youth teams like Gland and Servette. From 2000 to 2002, he played for Grasshoppers youth team. He then joined their main team in 2002.

Playing for Tottenham Hotspur

In 2004, Ziegler signed with Tottenham Hotspur in England. He was only 18 years old but quickly became an important player. He often played as a left midfielder or left full-back.

During the 2004–05 season, he played in 31 matches. He showed great skill and became popular with fans. He scored his first professional goal against Everton on January 1, 2005. At the end of that season, he won the JSM Young Player of The Year award.

Loan Spells in Germany and England

In 2005, Ziegler was loaned to Hamburger SV in Germany. He played 11 league matches there. In January 2006, he moved on loan to Wigan Athletic in England. He played 10 Premier League games for Wigan and also appeared in the 2006 Football League Cup Final.

After returning to Tottenham, he played a few more matches. In January 2007, he went on loan to Sampdoria in Italy.

Time with Sampdoria

Ziegler with Sampdoria after training

Reto Ziegler joined Sampdoria permanently in July 2007. He played his first Serie A match on February 18, 2007. He scored his first goal for the club in April 2007.

He became a regular starter for Sampdoria during the 2009–10 season. He wanted to keep his spot to be chosen for the FIFA World Cup with Switzerland. His contract ended in June 2011. Sampdoria then sold some key players, and the team was moved down to Serie B.

Moving to Juventus and Other Loans

Ziegler joined Juventus in Italy in May 2011. He signed a four-year contract. However, he did not play any games for Juventus.

Playing for Fenerbahçe

Ziegler with Fenerbahçe

In September 2011, Ziegler was loaned to Fenerbahçe in Turkey for the 2011–12 season. He scored a goal in a big derby match against Galatasaray, which Fenerbahçe won 2–1. He returned to Fenerbahçe on loan again in January 2013.

Short Stays in Russia and Italy

After his first time at Fenerbahçe, Ziegler was loaned to Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia. In August 2013, he was loaned to Sassuolo in Italy.

Returning to Switzerland

In February 2015, Ziegler moved back to Switzerland to play for Sion. He signed a six-month contract and later extended it. He played for Sion until the end of the 2016–17 season. In 2017, he also played for Luzern.

Playing in the USA with FC Dallas

On January 2, 2018, Ziegler joined MLS club FC Dallas in the United States. He was a main player at left center-back. He scored four goals in the 2018 season. His contract with Dallas ended after the 2020 season.

Recent Career with Lugano and Sion

In February 2021, Ziegler joined FC Lugano. He played there until December 2022. On December 25, 2022, he signed a new contract to return to Sion, where he plays today.

International Football for Switzerland

Reto Ziegler played for various Swiss youth national teams. He was part of the Switzerland U-17 squad that won the 2002 U-17 European Championships.

He made his first appearance for the senior Swiss national team on March 26, 2005. This was in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against France, which ended in a 0–0 draw.

In November 2008, Ziegler scored his only goal for Switzerland. It was a powerful shot against Finland that won the game 1–0.

He was chosen for the 2010 World Cup squad. He played all three group stage matches as a left-back. Switzerland did not move past the group stage that year. Ziegler was also selected for Switzerland's 2014 World Cup squad, but he did not play in any matches.

Personal Life

Reto Ziegler's brother, Ronald, also played professional football.

Reto Ziegler married Elodie Rudaz, a former Swiss alpine skier, in June 2017. They have two daughters.

Honours and Awards

• Swiss Super League (with Grasshoppers): 2003
• Turkish Cup (with Fenerbahçe): 2011–12, 2012–13
• Swiss Cup (with Sion): 2014–15
• Swiss Cup (with Lugano): 2021–22
• UEFA U-17 European Champion (with Switzerland U17): 2002
• Swiss Super League Team of the Year: 2016–17

See also

In Spanish: Reto Ziegler para niños