Alexander Frei (born 15 July 1979 in Basel) is a Swiss footballer who currently plays for Swiss Axpo Super League club FC Basel. He first played for Basel, then for various other clubs in Switzerland, France and Germany before returning to his home club, where he won his first
Championship title. Frei was the captain of the Swiss national team and is all-time leading scorer of the Swiss national football team with 42 goals in 84 games.Frei started his professional career with his hometown club of FC Basel, where he later was transferred to FC Thun, FC Luzern, and Servette FC, all in his native Switzerland. After a transfer to French club Rennes, he finished as the highest goalscorer in Ligue 1 for the 2004–05 season with 20 goals and was named Swiss Footballer of the Year the same season. He was also named Swiss Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2007.
Frei then signed a four-year contract with Borussia Dortmund on 29 June 2006. Dortmund paid a transfer fee of approximately €5 million for him. In the 2006–07 season, Frei was the highest goal scorer for Borussia Dortmund with 16 goals in 32 matches.
He recovered from a long-term injury in the 2007–08 season to score six times in his last eight appearances at Borussia Dortmund. After speculation regarding his future, he came back to action against Schalke 04 in the fourth fixture of the Bundesliga. He scored two goals, equalising in an incredible game
On 17 July 2009, he left Borussia Dortmund and, after six years, returned to Switzerland to sign with FC Basel. He made his debut in a 2–1 win over FC Sion on 26 July 2009. He made an assist and also scored the last minute winner in the match at the Stade Tourbillon.[3] During the 2009-10 season he scored 15 goals in 19 league games and FC Basel won the Double. During the 2010–11 season he scored 27 goals and became Top goalscorer.
Frei played for Switzerland at Euro 2004 and at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. He scored two goals in the 2006 World Cup, one in the match against Togo and a controversial goal against South Korea. Frei had 84 caps for Switzerland.
Frei is also Switzerland's all time top scorer with 42 goals. During Euro 2004, in a group match against England, Frei was caught on camera appearing to spit at Steven Gerrard. Although no action was taken at the time, Frei was later charged and given a provisional 15 day suspension by UEFA.
Within the first half of the opening match of UEFA Euro 2008, Frei was injured while captaining the Swiss team and missed the rest of the tournament due to a torn knee ligament in his left knee after a challenge from Czech defender Zdeněk Grygera. He decided to remain with the team to show his support. He later underwent surgery.
In a Euro 2012 qualifier at home against Wales he was booed by his own fans throughout the match, even though Switzerland won the match 4-1. When he was finally substituted the fans in the home sector booed him repeatedly. On 5 April 2011, he decided to quit from the national squad after being criticized again following a 0–0 draw with Bulgaria on 26 March for the Euro 2012 qualifying match.
ALEXANDER FREI PROFILE
Full name: Alexander FreiDate of birth: 15 July 1979
Place of birth: Basel, Switzerland
Height: 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position: Striker
Current club: Basel
Career Club:
1997–1998 Basel 11 (1)
1998–1999 Thun 34 (7)
1999–2000 Luzern 32 (15)
2000–2003 Servette 64 (36)
2003–2006 Stade Rennais 100 (48)
2006–2009 Borussia Dortmund 69 (31)
2009– Basel 64 (48)
National team
2001–2011 Switzerland 84 (42)
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