FC Cincinnati and Hoffenheim partnership begins with Kovacevic signing
By Daniel Garza
FC Cincinnati has acquired forward Franko Kovacevic on loan from Hoffenheim
In September FC Cincinnati announced a partnership with Bundesliga club TSG Hoffenheim. Part of the partnership involved the possibility of players going on loan to Cincinnati from the German club. Just a few weeks later and this component of the partnership has already come to fruition as Cincinnati has acquired Franko Kovačević on loan.
The Croatian striker will be joining Cincinnati on loan until June 2021 but there is the option to extend the loan until the end of the 2021 campaign. Kovačević has been at Hoffenheim since July of 2019. The 21-year-old began his professional career with Hajduk Split in his home country of Croatia before making the move to the Bundesliga club.
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Kovačević has yet to make an appearance for Hoffenheim’s senior team in a competitive fixture. He has spent his time playing with Hoffenheim’s second team in the Regionalliga Südwest.
Last season he scored five goals in eight appearances and in the current season he has one goal in three appearances. According to Transfermarkt, Kovačević has made appearances playing on both the left and right wings recently which adds another dimension to his positional ability.
A promising player
Signing Kovačević will provide much-needed depth at striker. Cincinnati has yet to reach 10 goals scored this season and is struggling to find the back of the net on a consistent basis. For this reason, a promising player such as Kovačević is a welcome sign that the club is looking to bring in a spark for the lowest-scoring team in Major League Soccer.
Cincinnati’s strikers have not been able to find the goal scoring touch in 2020. Jurgen Locadia has scored just one goal in 13 appearances. The former Hoffenheim player was one of the key acquisitions Cincinnati has made and was expected to be the main source of goals. However, he has not been as prolific as expected this season which opens the door for Kovačević to come in and receive playing time.
“I will do everything to win and I will help my teammates to be better…” Franko Kovacevic speaks with @Alex_Stec_ on joining #FCCincy and his goals in @MLS. pic.twitter.com/WkMSoYGT3d
— S - FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) October 12, 2020
Kovačević is a player who is still developing at 21 and his time in MLS will be beneficial to his continued progress. If he can find success at Cincinnati it would also be a fantastic start to the partnership with Hoffenheim. A successful loan spell would certainly increase the possibility of more players arriving at Cincinnati from Hoffenheim.
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It will be exciting to see what Kovačević can accomplish during this time in MLS. He has the potential to be a difference-maker for Cincinnati and be a consistent provider of goals. Keep an eye on this player during his time in MLS.