VfL Wolfsburg have announced the signing of Germany Under-21 international Muhammed Damar from TSG Hoffenheim on a permanent transfer. The 22-year-old attacker has agreed a contract until 2031 with the Lower Saxony club, who will pay approximately €6 million for his services.
The transfer marks Damar’s return to the 2. Bundesliga following Wolfsburg’s relegation from the German top flight. The Berlin-born midfielder came through the youth system at Eintracht Frankfurt before joining Hoffenheim, and spent last term on loan at Elversberg alongside Fisnik Asllani.
Damar targets regular minutes
Despite limited Bundesliga exposure—managing just 270 minutes in the top division—Damar attracted interest from multiple clubs. Wolfsburg sporting director Pirmin Schwegler highlighted the player’s creative qualities upon confirming the deal.
“Muhammed was on the radar of several clubs,” Schwegler said. “He possesses outstanding game intelligence. He moves extremely well between the lines and finds creative solutions even under pressure.”
Damar himself emphasised the importance of securing regular playing time. “My top priority was to reliably get playing time,” he explained. “Therefore, this step to a very ambitious second division club like Wolfsburg was only logical. I am grateful to TSG for being able to realise this transfer.”
Hoffenheim managing director Andreas Schicker acknowledged the mutual agreement to part ways. “For Mo, last season was personally challenging,” Schicker stated. “Nevertheless, he has always put himself in the service of the team and thus contributed his part to the success. All sides agreed that a new environment would make sense.”
Leverkusen secure Erlein for future
While Damar prepares for immediate integration at Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen have struck a separate agreement with Hoffenheim for 19-year-old right-back Luca Erlein. The reigning Bundesliga champions will pay €2 million plus bonuses for the German Under-19 international.
Erlein is expected to sign a contract until 2031, though unlike Damar he will not remain at his new club immediately. Leverkusen intend to loan the defender to a 2. Bundesliga side straight away to gain senior experience. Hoffenheim have negotiated a 15 per cent sell-on clause as part of the arrangement.
Erlein made a solitary first-team appearance for Hoffenheim last season while contributing five assists in 31 matches for the club’s reserve side in the 3. Liga. His departure continues Hoffenheim’s summer restructuring following their narrow escape from relegation last term.