Hannover signs Szalai from rival Hoffenheim

Hannover signs Adam Szalai (left) on loan from Bundesliga rival Hoffenheim

HANNOVER, Germany — Relegation-threatened Hannover has signed Hungarian striker Adam Szalai on loan from Bundesliga rival Hoffenheim to the end of the season.

Hannover, which has struggled for goals this season, says the deal includes an option to make the move permanent.

Szalai has played in the Bundesliga since joining Mainz from Real Madrid’s reserve side in 2010. In 137 league games for Mainz, Schalke and Hoffenheim, the 28-year-old scored 32 goals. He scored eight goals in 29 games for Hungary.

Hannover, which is second from bottom, has a new coach in Thomas Schaaf, who previously managed Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt. The club announced Schaaf’s appointment as Michael Frontzeck’s replacement last week. Frontzeck quit at the end of the first half of the season.

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