Florian Grillitsch returns to TSG Hoffenheim

"Grillo is an outstanding footballer who has already been a real difference-maker for us in the past and can be in the future too thanks to his great ball control, his technical capabilities and his fantastic understanding of the game," said Alexander Rosen, the director of football at TSG Hoffenheim. "With his experience, he shall not only assume a dominant role on the pitch, but also lead the way within the team and in the dressing room as a senior player. After a complicated year for him on a sporting level, that is not only our hope but our expectation too. Because he has all the necessary attributes."

"I feel really delighted to be back with TSG Hoffenheim once again," said Florian Grillitsch of his return. "In recent weeks, I have been in the fortunate position of being able to assess a variety of options for my sporting future and I made a conscious decision to return to TSG out of total conviction. I have never lost contact with many people at the club and I know exactly what TSG stand for and what it takes to play successful football here. The past few months have certainly brought me further along in my development and I'm eager to contribute here fully once again from day one."

Florian Grillitsch moved to Hoffenheim from Werder Bremen in 2017 and following a brief settling-in period, became a defining player for TSG. In his five years in the Kraichgau, the Austrian made 130 Bundesliga appearances (three goals), five in the DFB-Pokal (one), six in the Champions League (one) and 10 in the Europa League (three). The Austrian also wrote himself into the TSG history books when he scored to make it 1-0 away to Shakhtar Donetsk (2-2) in the opening game of Hoffenheim's first Champions League campaign – the first TSG goal in the premier continental club competition. Grillitsch made 18 competitive appearances for Ajax, five of them in the Champions League. The 27-year-old has made 36 international appearances for Austria, scoring one goal and notching three assists. Grillitsch was also called up by Austrian national team coach Ralf Rangnick for the recent EURO qualifiers and made a key contribution as a substitute in Austria's (2-0) victory over Sweden.