TSG to go into new season with goalkeeping quartet

The 20-year-old Luca Philipp has extended his contract, which was originally set to expire in the summer of 2022, until 30 June 2023. Philipp has been a regular fixture in the senior squad's training sessions since the Bundesliga was interrupted by corona in March last year, and was rewarded with his first professional contract by TSG a few months later. The 1.93m-tall goalkeeper has played for Hoffenheim since he was 13.

In addition, another highly talented keeper, 18-year-old Nahuel Noll, will be integrated into the senior squad's goalkeeping team. Noll has penned a deal until 30 June 2025. The 1.89m-tall custodian has trained regularly with the Bundesliga team in the past. He moved from TSV 1860 Munich to Hoffenheim at the age of 16 and will now be gradually eased into professional football in a responsible manner.

"Promoting talented youngsters and giving them the opportunity to continue their development at the top level in our professional squad is an essential element of our philosophy and has been our practice for many years," said Hoffenheim director of football Alexander Rosen. He added that TSG relies on a well-functioning blend of experience and youth in its goalkeeping team. "We have a solid quartet in which the youngsters in particular will benefit from the wealth of experience and quality of our number one, Oli Baumann, his deputy, Philipp Pentke, and the outstanding work performed by our goalkeeping coach Michael Rechner," said Rosen.

In addition to the two young goalkeepers, the highly talented outfield players Tom Bischof, 16, and Gabriel Haider, 19, have also been integrated into head coach Sebastian Hoeness' pre-season training programme. Furthermore, Melayro Bogarde, Maxi Beier, Georginio Rutter and Marco John, four professional players who played for the U19s last season and have already proven their talent in the Bundesliga and Europa League, will remain with the first team.