Attila Szalai, centre-back for the Hungarian national team, has joined Hoffenheim on a four-year deal from Fenerbahce, the Bundesliga club said on Monday. Hoffenheim signed the 25-year-old powerful defender just as Union Berlin, a newcomer to the Champions League, appeared close to luring him.OFFICIAL: Hoffenheim have signed centre-back Attila Szalai from Fenerbahce for €12.5m on a four-year contract. pic.twitter.com/DMhnDDdHI6— Transfer News Central (@TransferNewsCen) July 24, 2023 Szalai moved from Cypriot team Apollon Limassol to Fenerbahce in January 2021. In the 2022/23 season, he assisted them in both winning the national cup and placing second in the Super Lig, behind rivals Galatasaray.Hoffenheim director Alexander Rosen was proud with the capture of a player who was on Chelsea’s radar not too long ago.”It is our clear goal to further stabilize our defence and Attila has already proven his qualities internationally.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7388830##Hoffenheim did not reveal the transfer fee but German media reported the deal could be worth $13.29 million. Szalai told TSG’s website he refused a few other clubs just to join them.”I had several options for my sporting future, but I made a conscious decision to go with TSG Hoffenheim. I really wanted to play in the Bundesliga and I’m convinced that it’s the right step for me.”The strong defender, who arrived in Istanbul two years ago as a ready-made replacement for now-Bayern player Kim Min-jae, bid an emotional farewell to his fans in Turkey and wished them well in the future.Thank you for everything, Attila Szalai! 🥹🙏 pic.twitter.com/zVgyHN3fQP— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) July 24, 2023 Szalai made his Hungary debut in November 2019 in a friendly defeat by Uruguay and so far has made 35 appearances for his country. He was included in their squad for Euro 2020.
