The end of an era – Kadeřábek leaves TSG Hoffenheim

It is the end of a great era at TSG Hoffenheim. Pavel Kadeřábek is leaving the Bundesliga club and the Kraichgau region, which has become his second home, after ten years. The 33-year-old right-back's contract, which expires on 30 June 2025, will not be extended.

"Pavel is an extraordinary personality and we all recognise his great contribution to TSG Hoffenheim," said Andreas Schicker, TSG's managing director of sport. "He has shaped an era at Hoffenheim, left his mark at TSG on the pitch and achieved legendary status among the Hoffenheim fans thanks to his open and warm character. That cannot be taken for granted and shows how important Pavel is here at the club and in the entire Kraichgau region. One thing is certain and already clear: the door at TSG will always be open for Pavel and we would all be delighted to welcome him back to Hoffenheim in a different role after his playing career. Due to the uncertain situation in the battle to avoid relegation, we were unfortunately unable to organise a proper farewell at the last game of the season against Bayern Munich. But of course we have agreed with Pavel that he can and will say a fitting farewell to the TSG fans at a home game next season, especially for a player like him. Until then, we wish him all the best, both personally and in professional terms, and look forward to seeing him again soon at the PreZero Arena," said Schicker. 

"After an incredible ten years, my journey here at TSG is now coming to an end - and it's really incredibly emotional for me," said Kadeřábek on his departure, going on to add: "I really would have loved to continue playing for Hoffenheim, but unfortunately the club has different plans for my position. I really enjoyed my time here and this club will remain in my heart forever. The home games, the fans, I'll never forget it. This is and will always be something special for me. But I'll definitely come back and we'll all have a proper farewell together. I'm really looking forward to seeing you all again in the stadium. But I won't just come back once; I am and will always be a fan of this club.This region and its people have given me and my family so much, everyone has always been very friendly to us, we have felt extremely comfortable here and have even become at home here over the past ten years. I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart - all my team-mates, my coaches, the staff and the people at TSG."

And addressing the TSG fans in particular, Kadeřábek says: "I would really like to thank the Hoffenheim fans in particular. You were always incredible and supported me at all times. I will never forget you and will always carry you in my heart."

Kadeřábek moved to TSG Hoffenheim from Czech giants Sparta Prague in July 2015 and immediately became an undisputed starter in the Kraichgau. The two-time Czech EURO participant became the driving force on Hoffenheim's right flank and quickly became a crowd favourite with his intense style of play and likeable, approachable character. The passionate amateur angler, who was often to be found with his fishing rod at the large pond behind the training centre in Zuzenhausen, was not given the nickname "Czech locomotive" for nothing; Kadeřábek constantly ran up and down the right flank and delivered consistent performances week in week out. 

Over the past ten years, the 33-year-old right-back has made a total of 287 competitive appearances for TSG in the Bundesliga (14 goals, 31 assists), the DFB Pokal (three goals, one assist), the Champions League (one goal), Champions League qualifiers, Europa League qualifiers and the Europa League (one goal, four assists). Kadeřábek scored perhaps his most important goal on Matchday 34 of the 2017/2018 season, netting to give Hoffenheim a 3-1 lead over Borussia Dortmund in the final game of the season in front of a home crowd and qualify directly for the Champions League group stage for the first time in the club's history. TSG had failed to qualify for Europe's elite the year before after defeat to Liverpool in the qualifiers.

With his 256 Bundesliga appearances, Kadeřábek has now also caught up with his compatriot Jiri Nemec and, together with the former FC Schalke 04 professional, now ranks third among the Czechs with the most appearances in Bundesliga history. Only Theo Gebre Selassie (271 appearances) and David Jarolim (318) are ahead of the 33-year-old, who has earned 48 caps for his national team. Yet another milestone for the always cheerful Kadeřábek, who coined the much-quoted phrase "Life is beautiful" at Hoffenheim.