Szalai joins SC Freiburg on loan

"Attila has a lot of qualities that will enable him to be a good centre-back in the Bundesliga. He also has an outstanding character and is a guy who gives everything for himself and his team-mates at all times - even in a situation that is extremely complicated for him," said TSG managing director Alexander Rosen. "But we all have to be honest and realise that the signing hasn't worked out for him or TSG up till now. That's why we've reached a mutual decision for him to go out on loan to Freiburg until the end of the season so that he can have a fresh start in the summer after what will hopefully be a successful EURO for him," explained Rosen.

Attila Szalai moved to the Kraichgau in the summer of 2023 from Turkish giants Fenerbahçe. The 26-year-old defender made just five competitive appearances for Hoffenheim in the first half of the season. Szalai played 117 games for Fenerbahçe between 2020 and 2023, scoring seven goals and providing four assists. Since making his senior debut for Hungary in 2019, the defender has earned 41 caps for his country and scored one goal.