After nine years, Ermin Bicakcic’s time at Bundesliga soccer team TSG 1899 Hoffenheim is coming to an end.
The club and players agreed not to extend the contract that expired at the end of June 2023, as announced by TSG. The central defender completed 147 competitive games for the Kraichgauer.
After a cruciate ligament rupture in September 2020, Bicakcic had difficulty making it back to professional football. Last season he made nine Bundesliga appearances.
“In the end, the intended role and the offer from TSG didn’t quite meet my expectations and my sporting aspirations, so even though it was extremely difficult for me emotionally, I had to politely decline TSG’s offer,” said the 33-year-old Bosnian. “I had a longer period of suffering, the more the fire burns in me.”
Managing director Alexander Rosen, who is considering a farewell game for Bicakcic, added: “Ermin was and is an absolute identification figure at TSG. For almost a decade, with his irrepressible will, his enormous fighting spirit and his unshakable mentality, he stood for much that the fans love. We would have liked to have continued with him, but we respect his decision.”