Wouter Burger was excited when TSG Hoffenheim approached him to leave Stoke City in the summer, but had to wait for Anton Stach to move to Leeds United before it could progress.
There was no need for the Bundesliga club to sign Burger if Stach wasn’t going anywhere. Following months of rumours of interest in the latter, Hoffenheim had been looking around .
Stach sealed his transfer to Leeds United on July 22nd, and on the same day Burger confirmed his Stoke City exit.
The 25-year-old has been speaking to SportBild about his summer transfer, and explained: “Hoffenheim approached me very early on and showed me a clear plan. I then had to wait a little while for Anton Stach’s transfer. I came to Germany and looked around, and it just felt right. I always go with my gut feeling. And it felt good. I could have stayed in England. But then I told myself that this was a perfect fit for me, and I took the plunge.”
Transfer going well… and Beetroot juice
Since the transfer from Stoke City, things have been going pretty well for Burger. He’s been a near ever present for Hoffenheim, moving into a slightly more forward role.
That’s had an impact, with the Dutchman scoring five goals and adding nine assists.
Such has been his rise in status, there’s been talk of a call up to the Dutch national team. Ronald Koeman hasn’t been on the phone yet, but it’s a possibility: “I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m just carrying on and I’m ready when I get the call. But you can only focus on what you can influence. When I came to Hoffenheim, I didn’t think I’d quickly become a national team player and go to the World Cup. But we’re having such a great season that anything is possible.”
And the secret to his success?
“I always drink half a litre of beetroot juice before games. I simply follow my routine every week and don’t change anything.”
Anton Stach has also had an impact at Leeds United, and this appears a transfer situation which has worked for everyone involved.
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