Official | Hoffenheim sign preferred Tom Bischof replacement | OneFootball

Hoffenheim confirmed their third summer signing yesterday. FC Basel midfielder Leon Avdullahu is the first player the Bundesliga outfit has opted to spend money on this summer. Köln striker Tim Lemperle and Bochum defender Bernardo both arrived in Kraichgau on free transfers.

Hoffenheim outpaced fellow Bundesliga suitors Borussia Mönchengladbach to secure Avdullahu’s services. The 21-year-old has not come cheap. A base-transfer-fee of €8m can rise to €10m if certain performance-based-incentives are met.

The Sinsheim-based club found themselves under serious pressure to procure a reliable midfielder following the departure of Tom Bischof, who has already moved to German record champions Bayern Munich early ahead of the coming Club World Cup.

Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker referred to Avdullahu as the club’s “dream transfer” and declared himself pleased to have landed “one of the most promising talents in Switzerland“.

“At just 21 years-of-age, Leon has already established himself as an absolute regular and key player in defensive midfield at FC Basel,” Schicker noted. “He is a strategic player who combines aggression and strength in one-on-one situations with good vision and strong technical skills. We know that Leon had various options this summer. We are therefore all the more delighted that he has made a conscious decision to take the next step in his career with us.”

“I am incredibly proud to now be part of this team and TSG,” Avdullahu himself added. “The talks with those responsible were excellent and quickly convinced me. The conditions here are ideal for me to continue to develop and celebrate success with the club.”

GGFN | Peter Weis