Official | Hoffenheim ship Finn Ole Becker to Nürnberg without transfer fee | OneFootball

Hoffenheim midfielder Finn Ole Becker is headed back to the 2. Bundesliga. The former St. Pauli academy man will join German second division side Nürnberg after making 48 German top flight appearances over the course of the past three seasons with die Kraichgauer. Becker already made a total of 84 2. Bundesliga appearances during the course of his five seasons playing with the Hamburg Kiezkicker.

In a rather unusual transaction, Hoffenheim have opted to forgo a transfer fee on the permanent move. Some performance-related bonuses have been negotiated. Additionally, Hoffenheim have secured a re-sale share for the former Germany U21 international. The 25-year-old is still considered a gifted player and maintains an estimated market value of €2m.

In Becker, Nürnberg have finally procured a replacement for the departed Jens Castrop. Becker – who enjoyed no real playing prospects in Hoffenheim’s crowded midfield – receives a chance to revive his career. Becker didn’t earn a start under head coach Christian Ilzer last season beyond the 26th matchday. As a sparingly used Bundesliga starter, Becker still hasn’t scored his first German top flight goal.

“Finn approached us in the final year of his contract with a transfer request,” TSG sporting director Andreas Schicker noted in a club statement, “As we still have good options in midfield, we agreed to his move. He’s always been a consummate professional here.”

“With the signing of Finn, we are filling a vacancy in midfield,” FCN sporting director sporting director Joti Chatzialexiou added. “He has already proven himself at FC St. Pauli and TSG Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga and brings many of the qualities we were looking for in a number eight.”

“I made a very conscious decision to join the traditional club 1. FC Nürnberg,” Becker himself said. “For me, it’s now a matter of taking on responsibility on a young team and leading by example.“

GGFN | Peter Weis