Changes in summer
©IMAGO
FC Bayern has secured one of the most valuable German talents. Tom Bischof is moving from TSG Hoffenheim to Munich next summer, with whom he has signed a contract until 2029. Since the 19-year-old’s contract with Sinsheim is expiring, he comes on a free transfer. With a market value of 12 million euros, the central midfielder is one of the top five most valuable U20 youngsters in Germany.
The winner of the Fritz Walter Gold Medal is also one of the five most valuable Bundesliga professionals whose contract ends in the summer. However, it is a bitter departure for TSG, which had trained the youth international since he was ten and is now losing him without a transfer. To date, Bischof has played 53 games for Hoffenheim (two goals, five assists). “We tried everything to continue to convince him of TSG in the last year of his contract and to show him prospects. However, of course, Tom’s rapid sporting development has not gone unnoticed by other, very well-known top clubs,” said sports director Andreas Schicker.
Bayern’s sporting director Christoph Freund explained: “Tom Bischof is one of the greatest German talents who is already attracting international interest. At just 19 years old, he has already gained a lot of experience in professional football, in the Bundesliga as well as the DFB Cup and the Europa League. As a strong midfielder, Tom fits our approach perfectly. We are pleased that he has decided to take his next steps at FC Bayern. Tom has everything he needs to establish himself at the highest level.”
Bischof himself said in a Hoffenheim statement: “Now is not the time to say big goodbyes because I am still a TSG player. But one thing is already certain: Stepping away from Kraichgau will be incredibly difficult for me emotionally, and I will never forget TSG and, above all, the people in this club and will always carry it in my heart. (…) I have now decided to leave TSG in the summer, but I will be forever grateful to the club. When the time comes, I will comment on my decision in more detail – but for now my full focus is only on TSG Hoffenheim. And I will definitely give everything until the summer so that we and TSG can stay in the league at the end of this season.”
In addition to FC Bayern: RB Leipzig and Frankfurt are also interested in Bischof
In addition to Bayern, RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt as well as clubs from the Premier League were recently considered interested in the flexible midfielder, who made his final breakthrough this season and attracted attention with strong performances in the Bundesliga and Europa League.
According to “Sport Bild”, the German record champions also have the new Club World Cup next summer in mind when making the commitment. There, Bischof could collect his first appearances for Bayern and relieve other players after a long season. An immediate loan, however, is not an issue.