Vincenzo Grifo extends contract with TSG until 2017

While still in his role as head of the youth development centre, Alexander Rosen brought the German-Italian into the Hoffenheim U23s at the start of the season. He made 12 appearances and scored five goals, before making his Bundesliga debut in October 2012 against SpVgg Greuther Fürth.

Rosen, now head of professional football at TSG: “Vincenzo is very technically gifted and is extremely versatile in attack. He fits our specifications perfectly and is still only at the beginning of his development.”

Grifo has made twelve Bundesliga appearances so far, but just four of those have come in the second half of the season after suffering a foot injury in February. He has since been going through fitness training but won't be fully fit until the start of next season. “I'm proud that the club have put their trust in me despite this prolonged injury. I promise that I will pay them back,” said Grifo.