bundesliga

Germany midfielder Sebastian Rudy seals Hoffenheim return from Schalke

31.07.2019

Germany midfielder Sebastian Rudy has given Hoffenheim a boost ahead of the 2019/20 campaign by returning to the club on loan from Schalke.

Rudy, 29, played for Hoffenheim between 2010 and 2017 before spending a season with German champions Bayern Munich. The robust central midfielder featured in 21 Bundesliga matches after his switch to Schalke last term, but he has now decided to rejoin the club where he spent the majority of his career.

“You do not have to say a lot about Sebastian’s qualities,” Hoffenheim Director of Football Alexander Rosen said after the club announced their new signing.

“He has left his mark in over 200 matches he has played for Hoffenheim, and has shown what an outstanding footballer he is.

“This mix of great technique, tactical awareness and a super feel for the game made him a national team player while at the club.”

Rudy admitted that last season with Schalke – who finished 14th in the Bundesliga – did not go as well as he would have liked.

Sebastian Rudy (r.) was handed his Germany debut by Joachim Löw (l.) in May 2014. - imago/Schüler

But he told the Hoffenheim website that he was looking forward to being back in familiar surroundings as well as working with former Ajax and Hoffenheim assistant manager Alfred Schreuder.

Schreuder also returned to the club this summer as head coach to replace Julian Nagelsmann, who has taken the helm at RB Leipzig.

“I know the people and the conditions at the club, and I know that both myself and my style of football will also be valued here,” said Rudy, who has one goal in 27 caps for Germany since 2014.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Alfred and his coaching team, and I have heard only good things about them from my old colleagues.”

In his first spell with Hoffenheim, Rudy scored 12 goals and made 35 more in 212 games. His arrival will help offset the loss of fellow midfielders Kerem Demirbay and Nadiem Amiri, both of whom left Hoffenheim for Bayer Leverkusen this summer.