Defensive talent Bogarde signs until 2024

"Melayro is a highly talented, technically skilled and versatile defender who has made a promising impression in his appearances – including at European level too," said TSG director of football Alexander Rosen. Alongside Maximilian Beier, Marco John and Georginio Rutter, Bogarde is one of four players in TSG's Bundesliga squad who also managed to make an appearance for the U19s last season. "Our approach of promoting talented players from the academy to the senior team year-in, year-out and showing them trust there speaks for itself and is recognised beyond Germany's borders," said Rosen. In recent years, around 70 Hoffenheim academy players have made the leap to the professional game, including Niklas Süle, Nadiem Amiri, Gregor Kobel, Dennis Geiger, Christoph Baumgartner, Grischa Prömel, Kevin Akpoguma and Stefan Posch.

Bogarde also appreciates the situation in the Kraichgau region. "In the past few years, I have received a lot of appreciation at TSG and have received top support in sporting terms. That's why I'm looking forward to the future here in Hoffenheim," said the Rotterdam native.

Bogarde, the nephew of the Dutch football icon and Champions League winner Winston Bogarde, was part of the Hoffenheim U19 squad that reached the final four tournament of the UEFA Youth League in 2019. In May 2020, aged 18, he made his Bundesliga debut for TSG in a 1-0 defeat against FSV Mainz 05. To date, Melayro Bogarde has made 11 appearances in the Bundesliga, four in the Europa League and one in the DFB-Pokal.