Klauss to join Standard Liège on loan

"Contrary to the considerable personnel concerns that we currently have in defence and midfield in particular, the high degree of competition for attacking positions means that Klauss' chances of getting all-important playing time have been low recently," said TSG director of football Alexander Rosen. As a result, and following intensive talks, the Kraichgau club have "agreed to the player's wish to accept this opportunity in Liège".

João Klauss de Mello arrived at TSG Hoffenheim from Brazil at the age of 19. The striker initially gained experience with the U23s, before being loaned out to Finnish top-flight outfit HJK Helsinki in 2018. Klauss finished his debut campaign in the Finnish league as top scorer with 21 goals. He subsequently joined Austrian Bundesliga side Linzer ASK on loan, where he scored 24 goals in 61 appearances. Klauss returned to the first-team squad at TSG at the end of July 2020 and has played four times in the Bundesliga, five in the Europa League and once in the DFB Cup.