Updated

Schalke confirmed on Wednesday that the club has signed Tranquillo Barnetta from Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer.

Barnetta opted to leave Bayer when his contract expired this summer, and he has signed a deal with Schalke that runs until June 2015.

The Switzerland international joined Leverkusen in 2004, and after being sent out on loan to Hannover for his first season, appeared in 180 Bundesliga matches for the club.

He has also been capped 59 times by the Swiss during his international career.

"We're delighted Tranquillo has opted to join us," Schalke general manager Horst Heldt said.

"He has great qualities and is very versatile, as he has shown for both Leverkusen and Switzerland."