Stefan Posch extends contract until 2024

"Stefan has undergone a remarkable development in the past few years, from an academy talent to an established Bundesliga defender and a senior Austria international," said Alexander Rosen of the 23-year-old defender, who joined the Kraichgau club at youth level in 2015. He signed his first professional contract in Hoffenheim in the summer of 2017 and "has become one of the permanent fixtures in our team during this time," according to the sporting director, who added that Posch "stands out with his willpower and winning mentality".

Posch himself said the following of his extension. "I feel very happy here in the Kraichgau. Not just because there are two other Austrians in the squad in Florian Grillitsch and Christoph Baumgartner, but because the club has shown a great deal of faith in me from a very early stage and made it possible for me to develop very well. It was the correct decision to come to Hoffenheim. I'm delighted to be staying here and contributing to the TSG cause."

The 1.88m-tall Styrian progressed through all the Austrian youth international teams from U16s onwards and has now made eight appearances for the senior national team. Posch's professional debut for TSG Hoffenheim came in a 2-1 away defeat to Ludogorets in the Europa League in September 2017. The defender has since made 58 Bundesliga, two Champions League, five Europa League and four DFB Cup appearances.