“Uncompromising” new signing
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Koki Machida from the Belgian master Union Saint-Gilloise strengthens TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The 27 -year -old central defender receives a “long -term” contract from the Kraichgauer and initially costs 4.75 million euros – a million euros are also possible via bonuses to be easily achieved. Machida was hired in the summer of 2023 after one and a half years of loan for a million euros Festival by Kashima Antlers from his homeland Japan. He completed 114 games for Union SG and increased its market value from 850,000 to 11 million euros.
Machida was a regular player in central defense in the past season with the Belgians, who celebrated the first championship in their club history. The basis for this created the defensive around Machida, which was the best in the league in regular league operations with only 25 goals.
“With Koki Machida we found a central defender who has exactly the qualities we were looking for in this position,” says Hoffenheim’s sports manager Andreas Schicker. He is internationally experienced as a Japanese international and was an absolute regular personnel in the last master season of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Koki is a uncompromising defender who does not avoid a duel. It is also very strong due to its size and has a good overview and a precise opening of the player. We are convinced that Koki will give our defensive with its presence and skills the desired stability. ”
TSG Hoffenheim with oversupply in the defense center
In order to strengthen the defense, the TSG already hired Bernardo free of charge from VfL Bochum, in which several Bundesliga clubs were interested. After the Brazilian, Tim Lemperle (Freiens free, Cologne) and Leon Avdullahu (8 million, Basel), left foot Machida is the fourth new addition of TSG Hoffenheim for the coming season. The expenses increase to just under EUR 13 million. “I am very pleased that it worked out my move to TSG Hoffenheim. The TSG is an extremely exciting and ambitious club that plays in one of the top 5 leagues in Europe. For me, the step to Hoffenheim and the Bundesliga is the next in my career and I really can’t wait to get started with my new teammates. The national player.
There is still a lot of work before the Hoffenheimers’ responsible persons on the defensive. Christian Ilzer, whose favorite 4-4-2 provides for two central defenders with a diamond, are available with newcomers Bernardo, the loan returnees Attila Szalai and Tim Drexler as well as Ozan Kabak, Arthur Chaves, Robin Hranac, Kevin Akpoguma and Stanley NSOKI according to the current status.
