Mainz 05: Change from Ádám Szalai to FC Basel fixed on the train

Mainz farewell on Deadline Day

On Tuesday everything suddenly had to happen very quickly: in the final hours of Deadline Day in Switzerland, FC Basel 1893 contacted Ádám Szalai. The move of the 34-year-old, who left 1. FSV Mainz 05 on a free transfer six months before the end of his contract, was completed in good time. The final decision was made on the train.

“On Tuesday after training, I got a call straight away,” Szalai described in an interview with “view TV“. He was “very proud and grateful” for the prospects presented by Board member David Degen in Basel. “All in all, I immediately had a very, very good feeling. And that was the most important thing, because I often rely on the first feeling and on the first thoughts. Then it had to be done in four hours.”

The Hungarian international clarified the details on the train. “I live in Heidelberg and commuted between Heidelberg and Mainz. I often just rode the train. Because it happened after training, I was on the train back towards Heidelberg. We just had to discuss all the things on the train,” said Szalai. “Everything worked very well and worked out, that’s why I’m standing here at the moment.”

Ex-Mainzer Szalai wants to “get in as soon as possible” at FC Basel

The striker signed a contract with FC Basel until 2023, on Saturday evening he could make his first appearance for the third-placed team in the Super League against FC Lausanne-Sport. “I’ve had the opportunity to train twice now. I don’t have that much time, so I’m fully focused on getting into the team as quickly as possible and immediately accepting everything that FC Basel means. I will try with all my strength and focus to help the team.”

Szalai returned to the “zero fives” in 2019, but was unable to repeat successful times due to injury and interim problems with the sporting leadership. The Hungarian has scored five goals in 62 games. From 2010 to 2013, Szalai also went hunting for goals for Rheinhessen. In a total of 146 competitive games, he scored 28 goals for Mainz 05.

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