Vladimir Coufal Set To Join Hoffenheim After West Ham Departure

Hoffenheim have agreed to sign Vladimir Coufal. The former West Ham United defender is in Germany to complete his transfer. He will undergo medical tests and sign his contract.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Hoffenheim are close to signing Vladimir Coufal, who played for West Ham United last season. Coufal is in Germany to have his medical exam before signing his new contract. The club needed a defender, and Coufal is seen as a good choice to replace Gendrey, who is expected to miss the start of the Bundesliga season.

HOFFENHEIM’S SEASON SO FAR

Last season, Hoffenheim finished 16th in the Bundesliga just barely avoiding relegation, and this transfer signals that the team will want to change the tides for the new season, and fight for more ambitious goals than just survival. The team conceded 68 goals, the 2nd most out of anyone in the Bundesliga, so they need a better defense.

Hoffenheim hopes Coufal’s experience will make their defense stronger. Their first Bundesliga match this season is against last season’s runner-ups, Bayer Leverkusen as Erik Ten Hag’s team also tries to improve their league position, and make a challenge for title favourites Bayern Munich.

WHAT CAN COUFAL BRING?

Vladimir Coufal played in 28 Premier League matches for West Ham last season. He provided 2 assists and played almost 2,300 minutes. He is known for being reliable in defense and working hard. Moreover, West Ham signed Kyle Walker-Peters after losing defenders Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal, highlighting the club’s current defensive restructuring.

At 33 years old, his leadership can help Hoffenheim’s younger defenders. Hoffenheim needs him to fit in quickly as they want to start the season well and compete for a European place. We’ll see how fast he adjusts to his new surroundings.