Bundesliga side Hoffenheim have today announced the signing of Attila Szalai (25) from Fenerbahçe for a reported €12m. The Hungarian defender has signed a long-term contract with the club until 2027.
“I had several options for my sporting future but I made a conscious decision to go with Hoffenheim,” said Szalai. “I really wanted to play in the Bundesliga’s and I’m convinced it’s the right step for me.”
Vice-captain of the Hungarian national team, Szalai is seen as a leader in defence by Hoffenheim’s Alexander Rosen, who did an excellent job of securing the player’s signature despite interest from Union Berlin, who can offer Champions League football. With a contract until 2025, Szalai was subject to interest from Chelsea in 2021, but a move never materialised.
The 25-year-old, who played 117 games across all competitions at Fenerbahçe, will add more youth to Hoffenheim’s defence as they had to rely on John Anthony Brooks, Ermin Bicakcic, who has now left, and Kevin Vogt at times, alongside Ozan Kabak, Stanley N’Soki and Kevin Akpoguma.
Szalai becomes the next signing at the club after Marius Bülter, Julian Justvan and Florian Grillitsch, the latter of whom returns to the club after spending a season at Ajax before returning on a free transfer.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
