The sensation surrounding German promoted club Hoffenheim is growing even bigger as the Bundesliga leaders made a huge acquisition in bringing in former German national team keeper Timo Hildebrand.
Hildebrand voided his contract to 2010 with Spanish club Valencia five days ago and was able to move transfer-free to Hoffenheim. He will be introduced to the media at a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
The 29-year-old Hildebrand will battle Ramazan Özcan and Daniel Haas for the top spot between the posts after not playing in the Spanish league or cup behind Renan Brito and Vicente Guaita.
Hildebrand made his Bundesliga in the 1999-2000 with Stuttgart, which was coached by current Hoffenheim boss Ralf Rangnick. Hildebrand helped Stuttgart finish second in 2002-03 and won the title with Stuttgart in 2007 before moving to Valencia.
Hildebrand holds the current Bundesliga record for minutes without a goal of 884 minutes – nearly ten games – spanning the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.