FIRST TEAM
08/17/2018

World Cup runner-up extends Hoffenheim contract

Andrej Kramarić has extended his contract with TSG early for two more years until 30 June 2022. The 27-year-old Croatia national team player, who made it to the final of the World Cup this summer with his team and lost there in an exciting match against France (2-4), initially came to Hoffenheim on loan from English Premier League outfit Leicester City. TSG then gave him a contract in summer of the same year which ran until 30 June 2020.

"To be able to keep a player of his calibre at TSG shows how greatly TSG's stock has risen", said Alexander Rosen. "Such decisions are the basis upon which the club can be developed further, because they allow conclusions to be drawn about the potential that has been developed here in recent years", added the Director of Professional Football. "Andrej had already demonstrated that he is a world class striker before reaching the final of the World Cup. This contract extension sends out a strong message for us and a is a trailblazing indicator of an ambitious future."

Andrej Kramarić convinced for TSG from the first day on. Since his arrival, he has consistently numbered among the top-scorers in the league and as a result has been thrust into the limelight, not only here in Germany, but also in his home country's national team. He helped them to defeat Greece in the World Cup qualification playoff by scoring two goals, taking them to the tournament in Russia as a result. There he was able to celebrate his greatest sporting achievement thus far as a runner-up in the tournament. This crowned a sensational first six months in 2018 for Kramarić. The Croatian's 13 goals were instrumental in getting TSG to qualify directly for the Champions League group stage, 11 of which game after the winter break. "Such performances are an expression of how good I feel", said Kramarić. "This club has developed incredibly in the two and a half years that I've been here. Everything fits together here, and I feel very happy. I am highly appreciated from all sides and I really want to work on pushing this development further", he said in justification of his contract extension at Hoffenheim.

 The feisty 27-year-old carries the ball well and has a strong shot, attested to by statistics that tell a tale of overwhelming success so far. In total, he was notched up 33 goals and 20 assists for TSG in 83 Bundesliga matches. Only four players (Salihović, Ibišević, Firmino, Volland) have bagged more goals for their club than him in the top division of German football, and only Vedad Ibišević has better numbers for overall involvement in goals. Kramarić has found the back of the net 10 times for his national team in 38 appearances.

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