体坛英语新闻：Hamburg signs FC Basel's Marcelo Diaz

BERLIN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- FC Basel's Marcelo Diaz joins Hamburg until June 2017, the Bundesliga side announced on Monday.

At the last day of the transfer window Hamburg reinforce their squad with the signing of midfielder Marcelo Diaz from Swiss club FC Basel. The Chilean international passed the medical Friday and penned a two and a half year contract with the "Rothosen".

"Marcelo's qualities have been proved at the World Cup last summer. He was one of strongest players who always want the ball, even in difficult situations. This is what we expect from him and what he has done at a high level," Hamburg's director of professional soccer Peter Knaebel said.

The new arrival joined from defending Swiss champions FC Basel where he scored seven goals in 56 appearances. The 28-year-old midfielder is since 2011 part of Chile's national team where he scored one goal in 20 caps.

"I am very glad to be here and I hope I can help to stay in the top flight. I' m sure that we can make it," the new arrival said.

Hamburg sit currently on a relegation play-off spot with 17 points from 18 rounds. The "HSV" encounter newly promoted Paderborn on Wednesday.