John Brooks endured a frustrating period at Portuguese club Benfica with little playing time, but the veteran defender is heading back to the German Bundesliga to fight for a starting job.
Brooks has joined Hoffenheim on a permanent deal from Benfica, the Bundesliga club announced Thursday. The 29-year-old signed a two-year contract which will run through June 2024.
“Jay is a seasoned, tough-tackling and aerially strong defender who really needs no further introduction,” Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rosen said. “He should and will contribute to improving our defensive stability with his experience, his vision and his presence.”
“I’m delighted to be returning to the Bundesliga,” Brooks said in a club interview. “I know both the league and TSG [Hoffenheim] very well, and am highly motivated to get started straightaway and do my bit to help us get back on the path to success in the short term.”
Brooks joined Benfica on a free transfer last summer but struggled for a consistent role in Roger Schmidt’s squad. Brooks totaled only 233 minutes for the Portuguese giants this season across all competitions.
Brooks was a mainstay for Bundesliga club Wolfsburg over the past five seasons, totaling seven goals and five assists in 146 appearances in Germany. The U.S. men’s national team veteran also made 130 appearances for Hertha Berlin before joining Wolfsburg in 2017.
Brooks’ arrival at Hoffenheim adds another option in defense with current centerbacks Kevin Akpoguma and Ozan Kabak sidelined with respective injuries.
Andre Breitenreiter’s squad sits in 13th place, only three points clear of the relegation zone through 17 matches played. Up next for Hoffenheim is a home league match vs. Borussia Moenchengladbach before a trip to RB Leipzig in the German Cup Round of 16.
I was a bit surprised Hoffenheim didn’t get him in the summer. They needed CB’s then.
cashing in (ahem)
Great move for him. Will only be 33 in 2026. This will help with Che having Brooks to learn from. No reason to think Brooks can’t break back into the USMNT As long as he is getting consistent starting minutes for Hoffenheinm
I like this move because it makes sense for Brooks. I hate this move because puts an obstacle in front of Che. I love this move because it might facilitate Che’s release for U20 WC.
Che is 19. He’s sort of replicating the Chris Richards pathway.
He even did his time at Bayern where he got good reviews. He also did his time at right back, a German tradition.
If not JAB it was going to be another veteran CB. Sounds like it could be win-win for those guys if it happens.
they are starting to dress him but he’s generally been dressing and playing for H2. just like he was doing nothing but BM2 there. i’d be curious if he’s still there past the summer. FCD extended his deal before loaning him to hoffenheim, and i didn’t hear this loan had a purchase option. but midseason would be an awkward time for a young player to come back to MLS if he’s trying to crack the first team here.