Hoffenheim Signs Hungarian Defender Szalai

Hoffenheim, competing in the German Bundesliga, announced on Monday that they have signed Hungarian defender Attila Szalai from Turkish club Fenerbahçe on a four-year contract. Club director Alexander Rosen stated on Hoffenheim's website: "Our clear goal is to ensure stability in our defense, and Attila has already proven his abilities at the international level." Hoffenheim did not disclose the financial details, but German media reported that the transfer fee is around 12 million euros (13.29 million dollars). Szalai mentioned that he had several options regarding his sporting future, but decided to move to Hoffenheim, stating: "I want to play in the Bundesliga, and I am convinced this is the right step for me." Szalai (25 years old) joined Fenerbahçe in January 2021 from Cypriot club Apollon Limassol and helped his team win the Turkish Cup in the 2022-2023 season, finishing second in the league behind champions Galatasaray. Szalai made his debut for the Hungarian national team in November 2019 in a friendly loss against Uruguay and has since played 35 international matches, participating in the UEFA Euro 2020.