2014 World Cup hero Mario Götze has returned to the Bundesliga after being signed by Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday afternoon.

Oliver Glasner’s side bought the attacking midfielder for €4m after activating his release clause in his contract with PSV Eindhoven

It is being reported that the former German international will join training on Monday with the rest of his teammates in preparation for the 2022/23 season.

Board member for sport Markus krösche was delighted with the signing of the 30-year-old believing it shows the pulling power the club now has.

 

He said: “The fact that a player like Mario Götze has chosen, with full conviction, Eintracht Frankfurt over numerous other offers speaks volumes for the outstanding image that the club has built over the past few years.”

Götze had reportedly had offers from Benfica and American side Inter Miami but chose The Eagles as his desired destination with him set to become one of the club’s top earners alongside goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

One last dance?

Throughout Götze’s career he has been plagued with injuries which has unfortunately led to him not reaching his full potential he shown during his early career at Borussia Dortmund.

But now with this injury record many believe this will be his last opportunity in Germany’s top division, but after turning down a move to Inter Miami Götze clearly believes he still has the ability to compete with the very best.

And based on his 23 goal contributions in all competitions last season with PSV he is right to think that it may seem.

He said: “This club have a great foundation.  From the stadium to the fans to the city, everything is just to my liking.  I’m really looking forward to my return to the Bundesliga, as well as the chance to play in the Champions League.”

Many believe the chance of Champions League football was a deciding factor in Götze’s move to Frankfurt.

One of the reasons the 30-year-old left Dortmund two seasons ago was due to the level of scrutiny he was under in his home country from the media and former players, if he is to ignite his career again in Germany he will have to get the criticism out of his head and focus on his football. 

Where will he fit?

Last season Glasner implemented a 3-4-2-1 formation at the central German team.

Götze is likely to play in one of the two positions off the main striker, Rafael Borré, but can also play as a false nine if Glasner wanted a different type of attack.

These two positions were filled by Daichi Kamada, Jens Petter Hauge and Jesper Lindstrøm last season.

 

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Kamada was an ever present in Frankfurt’s amazing Europa League title campaign, however he only has one year left on his current deal with the club.

People around the club think the club may cash in on the Japanese international now and see Götze as a ready-made replacement. 

Although this may dishearten a lot of Frankfurt fans it has to be said Kamada failed to impress in the Bundesliga only scoring four goals and providing three assists despite his great goal-scoring prowess in the Europa League.

After Jens Petter Hauge’s move to the Deutsche Bank Park was made permanent from AC Milan earlier this summer it will be expected that him and Götze will provide the creative spark next season for the Europa League champions if Kamada does leave.

Frankfurt currently don't have many midfielders or wingers that can thread a ball through or eye a pass like Götze can so this signing will give Glasner so many more options going forward.

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