Berner moved to Blackburn Rovers for a nominal fee from FC Basel on 30 January 2007. He was given the squad number 25. On 10 February 2007, he played his first Premiership match for Blackburn, in a 1–0 defeat to Everton. He made his second start against Manchester City on 27 December 2007. He was released from his contract on 19 May 2008, along with fellow Switzerland defender Stéphane Henchoz. On 3 July 2008, Berner joined Norwich City on trial, joining up with the squad for pre-season training, however he failed to gain a contract.
Leicester City
On 12 September 2008, Berner joined Leicester City on a three-year contract and was issued the number 31 shirt. The club had beaten the likes of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest for his signature. He made his debut in a Football League Trophy match against Lincoln City at the Walkers Stadium on 23 September, drawing 0–0 but winning 3–1 on penalties. He scored a league goal in a 4–2 win over Huddersfield Town on 24 January 2009, his first in four years. He made a total of 32 league appearances, scoring 3 goals to help Leicester secure their promotion as League One champions. Berner was issued the number 15 shirt for the 2009–10 season, with an aim to reach the Championship play-offs. After Leicester reached sixth in the table by 12 September, it came as no surprise to Berner, who insisted their promising start to the season is no more than they expected. He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat to Preston North End on 26 September. When Berner was absent with injury in December, the club failed to keep a clean sheet for seven matches. It was not until he returned to the first team that Leicester finally kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw against Newcastle United on 30 January 2010. He scored a goal and assisted another in a 3–0 win over Nottingham Forest on 27 February 2010, helping the club finish the month undefeated. Berner scored a penalty kick in a 4–3 defeat on penalties to Cardiff City in the Championship play-offs semi-final second leg on 12 May 2010. In the 2010–11 season, Berner revealed with reluctance the likelihood he would leave the club in the January transfer window due to lack of regular football, having lost his place to loanee Greg Cunningham. He made his first start since October 2010 against Swansea City on 3 January 2011, scoring in a 2–1 win. Cunningham's loan soon ended due to injury and despite Berner being offered a new contract, he still maintained the possibility of leaving, having received interest from "a few Championship clubs". He finally signed the one-year contract on 20 January. However, Berner announced his retirement from professional football on 1 March 2012 after failing to make an appearance for the Foxes in the 2011–12 season.
International career
Berner made his international debut for Switzerland in a 2–1 win over Austria on 15 August 2001. He was a participant in the 2004 UEFA European Championship, but was an unused substitute in all three Group B matches. Despite being hopeful of winning his place back in the national team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Berner was not among the 23 players selected on 11 May 2010.
