Thesker signs for 1899, Sigurdsson loaned to Swansea

20-year-old central defender Thesker played on loan at Fortuna Sittard FC at the beginning of 2011 and made 15 appearances in the Jupiter League, the second tier of Dutch professional football. Holger Stanislawski was delighted with the club's new signing: “In Stefan we have acquired another talented player with plenty of potential, and someone who we can nurture here at 1899.”

Ernst Tanner, Hoffenheim's General Manager, echoed the manager's sentiments. “Stefan is a versatile player from one of the best academies in Holland. He is a German youth player and we are sure his development will continue here at 1899. I'm convinced he has the qualities to succeed here and wish him every success from the start.”

Hoffenheim also announced today that Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has agreed to join Swansea City FC in the English Premier League, on loan until the end of the season. The 22-year-old was signed by 1899 from English Championship side Reading FC for a reported £6.5 million in August 2010. He has nine goals and four assists to his name in his 36 Bundesliga appearances so far.

Tanner explained that the deal was equally beneficial to all parties. “Gylfi missed a large part of pre-season with an injury and it was hard for him coming back into the first team when he did. We hope that he can accumulate the necessary match practice during this loan spell and find the form he showed when he first arrived here.”