Stuttgart strengthen with duo

VfB Stuttgart have signed Swiss international forward Marco Streller from FC Basel 1893 and Croatian defender Boris Zivkovic

Zivkovic move
Full-back Zivkovic arrives for a nominal fee from English Premiership club Portsmouth FC, who yesterday agreed to release him from his contract. The captain of Croatia only joined Portsmouth from Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the summer, but is returning to Germany for personal reasons.

'Experienced player'
Stuttgart coach Felix Magath, who revealed that Zivkovic had signed a "long-term contract" said of the signing: "He is an experienced player who has played in the UEFA Champions Leauge. I am convinced that he can help us."

Streller signs
Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Streller will cost €3m, and has signed a contract that will keep him at the Bundesliga club until 2008. "We have come to an agreement," said Stuttgart coach Felix Magath. "Marco Streller has signed immediately. The boy is a talented player. He managed to shine at Basel. With his height he is good in the air and also skilful."

Cup-tied
Streller has scored 13 league goals this season for a club unbeaten in the Swiss top flight. However, having played in Basel's run to the UEFA Cup second round, and unlike Zivkovic, he will be ineligible for the rest of Stuttgart's Champions League campaign, which resumes on 25 February with the home leg of their first knockout round tie against Chelsea FC.