Sigurdsson will not return

The transfer of Gylfi Sigurdsson into the Premier League appears to be done and dusted. The 22-year-old will therefore not return to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim this week and begin the season preparation.

Manager Markus Babbel: “Gylfi Sigurdsson is close to signing a deal with a Premier League club. Only details remain to be settled and I expect that the transfer will be completed by the end of the week.” Hence, Babbel saw no point in bringing Sigurdsson back to Kraichgau.

Sigurdsson joined Hoffenheim in the summer of 2010, coming from FC Reading. He made a total of 26 Bundesliga appearances, scoring nine goals. The midfielder had been on loan at FC Swansea since January 2012.