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Kramaric: "Hoffenheim is a hometown club to me"
Andrej Kramaric has developed a close connection to the club since arriving in Hoffenheim three years ago. "I'm very happy here. The last three years have been fantastic, we've celebrated some wonderful successes together. I'm very proud of what we've achieved," said the Croat, adding: "I've gradually become part of this club and I can say that after more than three years here: it was a super decision and I have no regrets. Hoffenheim has become a hometown club for me. The club have given me everything and I've definitely been able to give TSG a lot back too. We're like a family."
The fact he is now the joint second-highest goalscorer in TSG's Bundesliga history on 43 goals – Sejad Salihovic has 46 – is a source of delight and further motivation. "I'm aware of the stats and I want to become the all-time record goalscorer. I'm proud of the figures and I hope I make it. But it's obviously not my main aim; I want to get back to Europe with TSG, that's the most important thing."
His successes on the international stage – in both the Champions League and the World Cup – have done his confidence the world of good. "I've always wanted to play against the best and now I've proven to myself that I can compete and score goals at that level. That gives me self-confidence and increases my belief in my own strengths. But in football, you can't live in the past. You need to prove yourself in every match, otherwise you won't last. If you don't score as a striker, you never feel good. In such a scenario, you need to work on yourself and reflecting on the past won't help you much there."
Kramaric believes that current coach Julian Nagelsmann deserves much of the credit for his development. "I'm thankful to Julian, he's different to all the coaches that I've previously worked under. He has a different philosophy and it's simply fantastic to work alongside him: he's young, he has a special kind of energy and is very ambitious. I can only wish him all the best once this season is over and express my thanks to him. It's been an honour to work with him, to get to know him and to achieve some wonderful results with TSG alongside him. He is without a doubt among the top coaches in the world."
