Hoffenheim Sign Top Keeper Hildebrand
Promoted Side Improves Goalkeeping With Former German International
Dec 10, 2008
The sensation surrounding German promoted club Hoffenheim is growing even bigger as the Bundesliga leaders made a huge acquisition in bringing in former German national team keeper Timo Hildebrand on December 10.
Hildebrand Gets Out Of Valencia Contract
Hildebrand voided his contract to 2010 with Spanish club Valencia five days earlier and was able to move transfer-free to Hoffenheim. He was introduced to the media at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
"In Hoffenheim, I would like to make a new start and find my way back to my old top form," Hildebrand told the press conference.
Hildebrand Favored To Win Keeper Battle
The 29-year-old goalkeeper will battle Ramazan Özcan and Daniel Haas for the top spot between the Hoffenheim posts after not playing this season in the Spanish league or Spanish up behind top two keepers Renan Brito and Vicente Guaita.
Goalkeeping was one of the few weaknesses considered in the Hoffenheim team as neither Özcan nor Haas have the same quality as Hoffenheim.
Hoffenheim Coach Ralf Rangnick Gave Hildebrand Bundesliga Debut
Hildebrand made his Bundesliga debut in the 1999-2000 with Stuttgart, which was coached by current Hoffenheim boss Ralf Rangnick. And Hildebrand helped Stuttgart finish second in 2002-03 and won the title with Stuttgart in 2007 before moving to Valencia.
Hildebrand holds the current Bundesliga record for minutes without a goal of 884 minutes - nearly ten games - spanning the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons and bettering the previous mark by Oliver Kahn.
Praise From German Boss Löw
Besides those in Hoffenheim, another supporter of the move was German national team coach Joachim Löw.
"I am really happy for Timo that with the move to Hoffenheim he now has some planning security and clarity. After not really playing in the last few months in Valencia, he heads to a coach who is planning with him. Knowing that is, in general, important for a player," Löw told the German sports magazine Kicker after the announcement.
Hildebrand Could Return To National Team
The move could have an impact on Hildebrand's chances of returning to the German national team, for which he has played seven times. Many observers considered him as a possible successor as the new starting keeper for the German national team when Jens Lehmann retired.
But since Hildebrand had not played very much - or very good - in Valencia in his first season, Löw did not nominate him for the 2008 European Championship, deciding for Lehmann, Rene Adler and Robert Enke.
Hildebrand was extremely disappointed and made that clear publicly. And now with a good showing with Hoffenheim, perhaps Hildebrand can move back into the mix of the German national team.
Hoffenheim's success has already led to the start of the German national team career for defenders Marvin Compper and Tobias Weis.
