1. FC Saarbrücken has lost one of its key defenders, Joel Bichsel, who has signed a three-year contract with FC Lugano. The 20-year-old centre-back has made 70 appearances for the German 3. Liga club, scoring two goals. Bichsel, who is 194cm tall and left-footed, has also played as a left-back and in a three-man defence. He came through the ranks at the BSC Young Boys Academy and completed his development with the Yellow-Blacks before signing his first professional contract in 2023. In the 2023/24 season, he went out on loan to SC Freiburg II, making 34 appearances. Bichsel has also represented Switzerland at youth level, making four appearances for the U21 squad. Sebastian Pelzer, Chief Sports Officer at FC Lugano, has welcomed Bichsel to the club, saying that he is a left-footed defender who combines physical presence, solidity, and versatility. Bichsel's qualities offer FC Lugano further options in defence, and the club is confident that he will make a significant contribution to the squad.