Hoffenheim have confirmed that forward Haris Tabakovic has left the club to join RB Salzburg on a permanent deal. The 32-year-old departs just one year after arriving in Germany, having spent the majority of his brief tenure on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach where he rediscovered his scoring touch.
Impressive return at Gladbach
Tabakovic joined Hoffenheim in 2024 but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter. The club sanctioned a temporary move to Borussia Mönchengladbach for the duration of last season, a decision that proved beneficial for all parties.
The loan spell yielded highly productive results. Tabakovic scored 13 goals in 32 appearances for the Bundesliga side, demonstrating his capabilities as a centre-forward at that level. His goalscoring return during this period significantly outshone his output for Hoffenheim, where he managed just four goals in 29 appearances across all competitions.
The contrast in fortunes between his loan destination and parent club ultimately paved the way for this permanent exit, with the forward clearly enjoying greater success away from Hoffenheim.
Club statement
Hoffenheim sporting director Paul Pajduch acknowledged the success of the loan arrangement and explained the rationale behind allowing the player to leave despite his recent arrival.
“The loan spell at Borussia was a success for everyone involved. Haris proved his qualities as a centre-forward there,” Pajduch said.
He continued: “Haris is an outstanding character and I would like to sincerely thank him for his time at TSG. However, due to an economically attractive overall package, we have jointly decided with Haris to proceed with a transfer. We wish Haris all the very best for his future.”
The comments indicate the move represents sound business for Hoffenheim, allowing them to secure a favourable financial return after just twelve months. The reference to an “economically attractive overall package” suggests Salzburg met the German club’s valuation, making the transfer sensible from both sporting and financial perspectives.
Next chapter
The switch to RB Salzburg offers Tabakovic the chance to build on his goalscoring form from last season. The deal concludes his association with Hoffenheim, with the permanent transfer enabling all parties to move on following a brief collaboration.
For Salzburg, the acquisition brings in a proven goalscorer based on his Bundesliga performances. At 32, Tabakovic arrives with significant experience and will hope to establish himself as a regular starter, having demonstrated his potency during his productive spell at Gladbach.