Latest news with #AndreasSchicker
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Hoffenheim signs Japan defender Koki Machida from Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise
SINSHEIM, Germany (AP) — German team Hoffenheim has signed Japan defender Koki Machida from Belgian champion Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The 27-year-old Machida, who has played 17 games for Japan, signed a 'long-term contract' at Hoffenheim, the Bundesliga club said on Friday without elaborating. Kicker magazine reported Hoffenheim agreed to pay around 4.5 million euros ($5.3 million) for the player, possibly rising to over 5 million ($5.9 million) with bonuses. 'In Koki Machida we've found a central defender who brings exactly the qualities we were looking for in this position,' Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker said. 'He has international experience as a Japanese national team player and was an absolute key part of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise's championship-winning last season. Koki is an uncompromising defender who never shies away from a challenge.' Machida initially joined the Belgian team on loan from Kashima Antlers in 2022, earning a permanent switch the following year. Altogether he played 114 games for Union. 'For me the step to Hoffenheim and in the Bundesliga is the next in my career,' Machida said in a Hoffenheim statement. Hoffenheim finished just above the Bundesliga relegation zone last season. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hoffenheim plan to go into upcoming season with coach Ilzer
Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer gestures on the touchline during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich at PreZero Arena. Uwe Anspach/dpa Despite almost getting relegated from the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim plan to go into the next season with coach Christian Ilzer. "We will definitely go into the next season wit Christian Ilzer. We have to give him time, and also a longer preparation period, to change something," sporting director Andreas Schicker said after the 4-0 defeat to champions Bayern Munich in the final matchday of the season. Advertisement Ilzer was signed in November 2024 to replace the dismissed Pellegrino Matarazzo but failed to get the team out of the crisis. Hoffenheim finished the season in 15th, just three points from the drop zone. "We know it was a totally messed-up season. Now we're relieved that we can play in the Bundesliga again next season. But we're aware that things can't continue like this and we have to change something," Schicker said. On Monday, Schicker and Ilzer will meet to develop a strategy for the next term. "We need to set the right momentum. We have a clear plan, and we want to implement it in the pre-season," Ilzer said.
