Hoffenheim have announced that midfielder Florian Grillitsch has rejoined the club on a free transfer from Ajax. The midfielder signs a contract until 2026.
The 27-year-old only left Hoffenheim last summer on a free transfer to join Ajax. Grillitsch returns having only played 18 games in for the Dutch side. On his return to the Bundesliga, Grillitsch said: “I am really very happy to be back at TSG Hoffenheim. In recent weeks, I have been in the fortunate position to be able to examine a variety of options for my sporting future and I have consciously and with full conviction decided to return to TSG. The contact with many people in the club has never been broken and I know exactly what the TSG stands for and what it takes to successfully play football here. The past few months have certainly brought me further in my development and I am eager to get fully involved here from day one.”
Director of Football at Hoffenheim, Alexander Rosen, commented on why the club decided to bring the Austrian back: “Grillo is an outstanding footballer who, with his enormous ball safety, his technical skills and his fantastic understanding of playing, has already been a real difference player for us in the past and can continue to be in the future. With his experience, he should not only play a dominant role on the pitch, but also lead the way within the team and in the cabin as a leader. After a sporty year for him, this is not only our hope, but at the same time our expectation. Because he brings everything for it.“
During Grillitsch’s first spell at the club, he played 151 times for Hoffenheim scoring eight and assisting 11. Grillitsch is most likely one of the replacements for Sebastian Rudy who will leave the club once his contract expires as well as Thomas Delaney who spent the second half of last season on loan at Hoffenheim, with little impact.
The Austrian is Hoffenheim’s second signing of the summer as the club have already completed the signing of Paderborn attacking midfielder Julian Justvan for €1.5m.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
