Hoffenheim updates: TSG sell Justvan, loan Damar, and profit from Rutter transfer
Two TSG 1899 Hoffenheim outgoing officially reported on yesterday have been officially confirmed. In something of a surprise twist, 26-year-old attacking midfielder Julian Justvan will not (as was initially reported) be loaned out to second division side 1. FC Nürnberg. Instead, Justvan is moving to Middle Franconia on a permanent basis. Sky Germany report that die Kraichgauer have pocketed a transfer fee of around €1 million.
“Julian is a talented player who has proven his abilities," TSG interim sporting director Frank Kramer noted in a statement, "but his performances here in Hoffenheim were subject to fluctuations, meaning he was unable to fully establish himself with us."
Twenty-one-year-old midfielder Muhammed Damar, meanwhile, will be heading to the German second tier on a temporary basis as initially reported. The Sinsheimers confirmed a one-year-loan out to Saarland's SV Elversberg 07 on Tuesday afternoon. Damar remains under contract with the TSG through 2027.
“He [Damar] is a young, highly talented player who has a lot of potential," Kramer said of the second transaction, "However, he now urgently needs match practice at the highest possible level for his further development. We are currently unable to offer him due to the competitive situation in our squad.”
There is still more transfer news on which to report as pertains to Hoffenheim. A recently confirmed high-profile deal involving a former Hoffenheim player - according to a reliable source - has helped the wobbly Hoffenheim administrative team at least pocket some more cash. French striker Georginio Rutter signed with Brighton & Hove Albion today.
The deal that saw Rutter move to Leeds United 18 months ago began with a €28 million base-transfer-fee, but also contained performance related add-ons and a re-sale clause. Sky Germany claims that performance incentives and the clause now push Hoffenheim's net gain on Rutter to closer to €41 million.
Brighton's reported €46.7 million purchase of the 22-year-old ostensibly distributes approximately €8 million to the Kraichgauer. The Rhein-Neckar club initially acquired Rutter for a paltry €750,000 in February of 2021.