Mainz (AP) – Bundesliga soccer club Mainz 05 has confirmed the surprising departure of Adam Szalai to FC Basel. The 34-year-old agreed with the Rheinhessen on a premature termination of the contract, as the club announced.
Previously, there had been consistent media reports that the Hungarian striker was about to move to Switzerland. Originally, Szalais contract in Mainz ran until the end of the season. Szalai receives a contract in Basel until 2023.
“Adam approached us at very short notice with a request to accept the offer from FC Basel, which offers him concrete prospects beyond the summer,” explained Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel.
Szalai recently celebrated his comeback in the Bundesliga after he had to have a head operation. From 2010 to 2013, the Hungarian international also went in search of goals for Rheinhessen. In 146 competitive games, Szalai scored 28 goals for Mainz 05.