Hoffenheim sign midfielders Sessegnon, Rudy on loan

Berlin (AFP) – Hoffenheim on Monday announced the signings of England Under-21 winger Ryan Sessegnon from Tottenham and Germany midfielder Sebastian Rudy from Schalke, both on loan for the rest of the season.

Sessegnon, 20, was just 16 when he made his professional debut for Fulham four years ago and joined Spurs last year for 27 million euros ($31 million).

“I hope to gain experience in one of the best professional leagues in the world and I’m also looking forward to playing in European competition”, said Sessegnon with Hoffenheim having qualified for the Europa League.

He is under contract at White Hart Lane until 2025 but struggled for game time last season, making just 12 appearances for Tottenham, including six in the Premier League.

He had not played so far in 2020/21 under Spurs boss Jose Mourinho.

Having already spent last season on loan at Hoffenheim, Rudy, 30, has been again brought in from Schalke, where he is under contract until 2022, to feature at defensive midfield.

Having made 29 appearances for Germany, Rudy spent seven years at Hoffenheim until 2017 and holds the club record of 227 Bundesliga appearances.

Rudy said it was his “great wish” to return to Hoffenheim, “I feel comfortable – and to be honest, I feel as if I had never left,” he added having made just two appearances for Schalke this season.

Hoffenheim had been looking to boost their squad after centre-back Ermin Bicakcic and left-back Konstantinos Stafylidis both suffered long-term injuries.