Mario Eggimann

Mario Eggimann was born on 24 January 1981 in Brugg, Switzerland.

Starting out his youth career at a local FC Küttigen in 1988, Mario continued his football grooming at FC Aarau, performing in the Swiss National League A. After 9 years on FC Aarau youth side, Eggimann received his first professional contract in 1998. For three seasons, he scored 1 goal in his 41 senior appearances for the club and soon left it to enjoy better fortune at the German Karlsruher SC. There a skilful center back was constantly deployed in the first team, and establishing himself as a pillar of the team, Eggimann took over a captain’s armband in the 2006/07 season.

On 10 March 2008, a Swiss footballer signed for the Bundesliga club Hannover 96 for an outstanding transfer fee of €1.4 million. The contract ran until June 2013 when he switched to Union Berlin.

Renowned for his leadership qualities, Mario Eggimann was also made captain for the Swiss U-21 national team. He made his national debut in a match against Chile on 7 September 2007. Thereafter, he was put into the roster for the UEFA Euro 2008 but did not feature in the final squad. He earned his latest call up to the national team in October 2008, though he had an episodic display in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa after that.