“A lot ahead” with Hoffenheim
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Andrej Kramaric made the TSG Hoffenheim fans cheer twice within just a few minutes. On Saturday, shortly before the game against VfB Stuttgart kicked off, the extension of the contract with the “club legend” was announced. After seven minutes, the Croatian promptly scored the 1-0 for the Kraichgauer team (to the live ticker).
“Andrej is one of the faces of the club and has shaped TSG over the past decade,” said Andreas Schicker, managing director of TSG Hoffenheim, in a club statement about the extension with Kramaric. “Since his arrival more than ten years ago, he has been a central pillar of sporting success and an absolute leader. He is an exceptional footballer with special skills and also an ambitious model professional who takes on responsibility both on and off the pitch. We are very happy that Andrej will remain part of our team.”
The fact that a player identifies with a club the way Kramaric does with TSG is “an exception in today’s football business,” said Schicker. “He has become a club legend. We are pleased that we can continue to count on his qualities and international experience in the future.” Kramaric said he was “very proud” to be able to continue wearing the TSG jersey in the future.
“Everyone knows what this club means to me,” added Kramaric. “I feel extremely comfortable here, the club and the region have long since become my second home. I am happy that this special relationship continues.” In Hoffenheim’s record player ranking, only goalkeeper Oliver Baumann is ahead of the striker. In Bundesliga history there have only been two foreign players who scored more goals than Kramaric (139).
How long the new working paper is valid has not been officially announced. Kramaric assured that he feels in top shape and is looking forward to the European Cup, in which TSG will compete in the coming season. It is still questionable whether the Champions League is even possible. Before the game against Stuttgart, Hoffenheim was level with their rivals in the fight for fourth place. “As a team under the leadership of Andreas Schicker and Chris Ilzer, we have embarked on an ambitious path that is not yet over,” stated Kramaric. “We have a lot of plans for this team and I will give everything to achieve our goals.”
