VfL Wolfsburg have added to their squad by snapping up Swiss international defender Ricardo Rodríguez on a four-and-a-half year contract from FC Zürich.

The 19-year-old won the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup with Switzerland and earned his first international cap in a 2-0 defeat against Wales in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying on 7 October. Rodríguez made 35 Swiss Super League appearances and scored two goals in three seasons at Zürich before agreeing a contract with the German club which runs until summer 2016.

"Ricardo is a big talent," said Magath, whose side currently sit 12th in the Bundesliga. "He has become a regular at FC Zürich, impressed in Europe and already featured for the national team. He has international quality, is at a high standard and now we have to stabilise that quality and develop it further. If that works out I am convinced that he can be a pillar of our team."

For Rodríguez, it was Wolfsburg's persistence in trying to secure his services which proved to be the decisive factor. "If a club and a coach try so hard to get me, that shows me they really want me," he said. "That was very important for me in taking a big step into the Bundesliga."