Shortly after passing his club medical this morning, Germany U21 international Tom Bischof was officially unveiled as a future Bayern Munich player by Germany’s record champions. As expected, the 19-year-old signed a contract until 2029. Bischof shall move to Bayern on a free this coming summer following the expiration of his current contract with Hoffenheim.
As Bischof’s stock rose earlier this season, it became increasingly apparent that his academy club would have difficulty keeping him. Shortly after being confirmed as Hoffenheim’s new sporting director, TSG personnel chief Andreas Schicker labelled signing Bischof to a contract extension his top priority. In the end, the lure of the German giants proved too much.
“We tried everything to convince him to stay at TSG and offer him prospects,” Schicker noted in a club-released statement. “In recent weeks, we have repeatedly had very good and, above all, trusting discussions with Tom, his parents and his advisory team.
“These discussions were frank, open and transparent,” Schicker’s statement continued. “In the final analysis, we must accept this decision and wish Tom the best from next season onwards.“
“It is not yet time to say goodbye, as I am still a TSG player,” Bischof himself added in his own statement. “Leaving Kraichgau will be incredibly difficult for me emotionally. I will always carry the club and the people here in my heart.”
Bischof joined the TSG academy at the age of ten and has never represented another club in his young career. The teenage talent has already racked up 53 senior team appearances for the Sinsheim club, scoring two goals and registering two assists.
The rise in his estimated market value (from €3.5m last May to €12m in the latest transfermarkt update) rendered him one of the top five most valuable Bundesliga players available on a free after the season on an expiring contract.
“Tom Bischof is one of Germany’s best [young] talents is already attracting international interest,” FCB sporting director Christoph Freund noted in his club’s statement, “Tom is an ideal fit for our team. We are pleased that he has decided to take his next steps at FC Bayern. Tom has everything it takes to establish himself at the highest level.”
