Swiss rivals secure big names

Villarreal switch
Grasshoppers have signed Argentinian midfield player Javier Villarreal from CA Boca Juniors on a three-year deal. The 25-year-old was part of the Boca team that won the 2003 Copa Libertadores and then a non-playing member of the squad that beat AC Milan to lift the European/South American Cup.

Ilie move
Meanwhile, 30-year-old Romanian international striker Adrian Ilie has joined Zürich on a one-year contract after leaving Besiktas JK. Capped 53 times, Ilie won four league titles with FC Steaua Bucuresti and Galatasaray SK, and played in the 2000 UEFA Champions League final for Valencia CF.