Eric Hassli

Early career

Hassli began his career at his hometown club Sarreguemines FC. In 2000 Hassli moved 40 miles (64 km) west to play for Metz. In 2002, he moved on loan to England to play for Southampton. He scored two goals in eight matches for Southampton's reserve side but made no appearances for their first team. Southampton decided not to sign Hassli permanently and so he returned to Metz.

Start in Switzerland

Six months after returning from Southampton Hassli was on the move once again. He moved to Switzerland to play for Neuchâtel Xamax in the 2003–04 season. His time at the club was not a success as he struggled to break into the first team. He managed just thirteen appearances, scoring two goals. At the end of the season he moved to Geneva to play for Servette of the Swiss Challenge League. However, on 4 February 2005, the parent company of the club was declared bankrupt. It had run debts of over 10 million Swiss francs, having not paid the players since the previous November, and consequently the club suffered an exodus of players looking for paying clubs. Hassli left to join St. Gallen of the Swiss Super League, a club in the very east of Switzerland.

Breakthrough in Switzerland

The transfer to St. Gallen proved the making of Hassli. His time at the club enhanced his reputation as he scored 18 goals in 47 games.

Return to France

At the end of the 2005–06 season. Hassli attracted the attention of plenty of clubs and returned to…