38 years and not a bit tired: Eintracht Frankfurt can continue to plan with Makoto Hasebe in the future.
The Japanese has extended his expiring contract with Hessen until 2027 (!). The veteran should still be on the pitch as a leading player until the summer of 2023 and then switch seamlessly to the coaching team.
On Friday afternoon, the Bundesliga club announced the happy news via Twitter.
“Makoto Hasebe is a player that every professional club could only wish for. Despite his age, his skills on the pitch meet the high standards of the Bundesliga. As a personality, he is an important factor, especially for young players. Makoto is our team’s strategist and calming influence and an impeccable personality in terms of character,” commented SGE Sport Director Markus Krösche on the continuation of the successful cooperation that has been in place since 2014.
Hasebe, currently the oldest player in the Bundesliga, is a “role model, important contact and identification figure” for the club and should “gain initial experience in a professional coaching staff” from 2023.
The former Japanese international has appeared in 256 competitive games for Eintracht since moving from 1. FC Nürnberg. He has made 19 appearances this season.
“Eintracht is my club”
Hasebe is happy that his time in the Main metropolis is not yet over.
“Frankfurt has become my home for me in recent years, Eintracht my club. We have achieved and experienced a lot together over the past eight years and I am happy that the journey continues. I still feel fit and able to play football at a high level,” explained the fan favorite, who has now been promoted to vice-captain.
Hasebe recently also took part in the “Players Pathway” pilot project of the German Football Association for professional orientation after the active career.