Gacinovic joins Hoffenheim from Frankfurt; Zuber moves the other way

Hoffenheim have completed the signing of Serbian international attacking midfielder Gacinovic, with versatile Switzerland wide man Zuber swapping Sinsheim for Frankfurt as part of the deal.

"There's a bit of sadness on the one hand, but also a great deal of anticipation on the other", explained Hoffenheim's sporting director, Alexander Rosen. "We lose an ever-present player from our squad, but we gain an extremely exciting player with a profile that we haven't had recently."

A left-footed playmaker, Gacinovic is the first signing of the Sebastian Hoeneß era at Hoffenheim. Kerem Demirbay and Nadiem Amiri both left for Bayer Leverkusen last summer, and the extra company for Christoph Baumgartner has been welcomed by the club.

"[Gacinovic] is unpredictable, technically good, and a strong and fast midfielder," said Rosen. "He gives us many options with his ability on the ball as well as his hard work and pressing when we don't have possession."

While Frankfurt lose a DFB Cup winner under Niko Kovac in 2018, they gain, in Zuber, a player who won the double of Russian Premier League and Super Cup in 2014 before making more than 100 appearances for Hoffenheim.

“With Steven Zuber we are strengthening ourselves in several positions," explained Rosen's opposite number Fredi Bobic. "On the one hand, he gives us possibilities on both flanks; but he can also play through the middle. He knows the Bundesliga, is an experienced Swiss international, is dangerous in attack and enriches our squad."

Zuber's contract with Frankfurt runs until 2023; Gacinovic's deal with Hoffenheim takes him up to 2024.