Haris Tabakovic moves from Hoffenheim to Red Bull Salzburg

Salzburg bets on experience and leadership

Marcus Mann, Managing Director of Sport at Red Bull Salzburg, justified the signing in clear terms: "Wir haben nach einem klaren Profil für unser Sturmzentrum gesucht – einem Spieler, der uns sofort weiterhilft, Körpergröße sowie Persönlichkeit besitzt und weiß, wo das Tor steht. Haris bringt genau diese Komponenten mit." Mann also sees the experienced striker as a leadership figure for the young squad: "Mit seiner Führungsqualität, Erfahrung und Physis wird er unserer jungen Mannschaft wichtige Impulse geben."

Tabakovic himself also appeared relieved and motivated at his presentation. "Ich blicke mit viel Dankbarkeit auf meine Zeit in Deutschland zurück, freue mich nun aber enorm auf die neue Herausforderung in Salzburg", said the Bosnian, who was born in Switzerland. He said he had a good feeling from the start: "Ich hatte von Anfang an ein sehr gutes Gefühl, weil sich der ganze Club wirklich sehr um mich bemüht hat. Jetzt kann ich es kaum erwarten, die Mannschaft kennenzulernen und gemeinsam loszulegen."

Hoffenheim justifies the departure on economic grounds

The transfer is also the result of an economic calculation at TSG Hoffenheim. Paul Pajduch, Sporting Director of the licensing squad at the Kraichgau club, explained: "Aufgrund eines wirtschaftlich attraktiven Gesamtpakts haben wir uns jedoch gemeinsam mit Haris zu einem Transfer entschieden." Pajduch also emphasized the striker's sporting qualities: "Haris hat dort seine Qualitäten als Mittelstürmer unter Beweis gestellt."

Tabakovic had moved to Hoffenheim in the summer of 2024 for three million euros from Hertha BSC, after previously finishing as top scorer of the 2. Bundesliga with 22 goals. At Hoffenheim, he made five goal contributions in 29 competitive matches, before being loaned out to Borussia Mönchengladbach for the past season. At the Fohlen, he became a lifesaver with 13 Bundesliga goals and 15 goals in total as well as three assists in 35 matches.

Loan spell at Mönchengladbach as a springboard

The fact that the loan did not become a permanent deal was due to the player's age. Mönchengladbach's sporting director Rouven Schröder explained on the "Fohlenpodcast – Standpunkte" at the end of June: "Haris ist in einem gewissen Alter. Bei dem man auch weiß, dass man als Klub dieses Investment vielleicht nicht mehr zurückbekommt." Schröder had sought talks with Hoffenheim, but "das klare Signal bekommen, dass sie nur zu gewissen Konditionen verkaufen, was uns dann auch den Spirit genommen hat. Und das ist auch eine Bewertung, die wir dann vornehmen müssen".

In Austria, Tabakovic is no unknown quantity. Between 2020 and 2023, he scored a total of 67 competitive goals for Austria Lustenau (46 goals in 48 matches) and Austria Vienna (21 goals in 42 matches). This record and his familiarity with the domestic league were apparently also decisive for Salzburg. Mann said on this: "Er hat bei seinen Stationen konstant getroffen und kennt zudem die österreichische Liga bestens."

International experience and World Cup appearance

Internationally as well, Tabakovic has made a name for himself in recent months. With the Bosnian-Herzegovinian national team, he prevailed in World Cup qualifying in the playoff against Italy. In the decisive qualifying match of Group H in November in Vienna, he scored the 1:0 against Austria, before Michael Gregoritsch still sent the Austrians to the World Cup finals. At the tournament itself, Tabakovic came on as a substitute in the round of 16 against the USA (0:2).

Tabakovic had made his debut for the senior national team of Bosnia-Herzegovina in November 2023. He has now made eleven appearances for his country. In Salzburg, he is set to join team training in around two weeks, where, together with fellow new signing defender Dominik Schmid (28, from FC Basel), he is to help shape the rebuild at Red Bull Salzburg.

That Salzburg pays a transfer fee at all for a player over 30 is a rarity in the club's history. Previously in this age group, only four players had cost a fee: Barry Opdam (2008/09, 32, from AZ Alkmaar for 1.5 million euros), Janis Blaswich (2024/25, 33, from RB Leipzig for a loan fee of one million euros), Christian Mayrleb (2005/06, 33, from FC Pasching for 500,000 euros) and Karim Onisiwo (2024/25, 32, from Mainz 05 for 500,000 euros). With five million euros for Tabakovic, Salzburg are thus setting a new benchmark.

Salzburg breaks with its own transfer tradition

The market value of the striker is currently estimated at 3.5 million euros. His contract in Salzburg runs until 2029, the Red Bull squad comprises 38 players. The total market value of the team is around 319.75 million euros. With the signing of Nathan De Cat as the last new arrival before Tabakovic, Salzburg had previously already made waves in the transfer market.

For TSG Hoffenheim, the departure means a financial gain, but also the loss of an experienced striker. The Kraichgau club had only signed Tabakovic two years ago and has now recouped significantly more than they paid themselves. How TSG intends to reshape their squad offensively remains open.

In Salzburg, meanwhile, a new chapter is beginning for Tabakovic. After stints in Switzerland, Austria and Germany, the striker is returning to the Austrian Bundesliga – this time, however, not as an outsider, but as a figure of hope for a club that wants to knock on the door at the very top again after three trophyless years.

With the start of training in around two weeks, it will become apparent how quickly Tabakovic fits into coach Danny Röhl's system. Expectations are high, the transfer fee is a statement – and the striker himself has already announced that he can hardly wait to get going.

Return to a familiar league

The signing of Tabakovic is part of a broader Salzburg strategy of selectively strengthening the squad. With Schmid and Tabakovic, the Austrians have brought in two experienced players with Bundesliga experience this summer. Both are meant to give the young squad stability and goal threat.

For Tabakovic personally, the move to Salzburg is also a return to a familiar environment. He knows the league, knows the clubs, and has already proven in Austria that he can score goals. The question now is whether he can confirm that form at a club that plays for titles.

The coming weeks will show whether Salzburg's investment pays off. Tabakovic has proven throughout his career that he can score – now he must bring that quality onto the pitch in Salzburg as well.

One thing is certain: with the transfer of Haris Tabakovic, both Hoffenheim and Salzburg have advanced their squad planning for the coming season. While TSG books a financial gain, Salzburg are betting on an experienced striker who is meant to end their trophy drought.