Winter Transfer Roundup from Hütteldorf
Our first new signing of 2025 was confirmed this week, as Romeo Amane became the first Ivorian player to join the SK Rapid senior team when he flew to the training camp in Spain. The central midfielder made almost 100 appearances for BK Häcken in Sweden’s Allsvenskan, including 16 appearances in European competition, before putting pen to paper on a deal to bring him to Hütteldorf.
Sporting Director Markus Katzer had this to say regarding the transfer: “Romeo is still a very young player, but he brings a lot of experience with him. He’s very versatile in the midfield, and can be deployed in the “six” or the “eight” roles, as well as a step further forward. He’s got a lot of speed and good physicality, and can also count on his excellent technique. In the medium-term he will make us stronger defensively, and he has also been signed as part of our preparations for next season. As we were already aware, Romeo is currently suffering from a toe injury, which has been treated with an arthroscopy. Much like with Isak Jansson a year ago, we will give him time to get back to 100% match-fitness, and we’re delighted that Romeo and his management team decided in favour of joining Rapid despite keen interest from various other major leagues.”
Romeo Amane and SK Rapid agreed to a long-term deal, with the contract running until summer 2029.
Thank you, Maxi!
One major departure from the squad this winter came in the form of club legend Maximilian Hoffmann, who signed for Debreceni VSC in Hungary in January, six-months before his contract at Rapid expired. Hofmann had joined Rapid as a nine-year-old back in 2003, before making his senior debut in 2013 and going on to appear 273 times for the club, preventing countless goals, and scoring 11 times. With 48 European games under his belt at Rapid, Maxi is fourth in the club’s all-time appearance list, behind Peter Schöttel (50), Mario Sonnleitner (58) and Steffen Hofmann (74). In February last year, he reached 250 Bundesliga appearances for Rapid in a 1-1 draw with eventual champions Sturm Graz, a number which very few players can hope to reach in the coming century.
Maximilian Hofmann said the following regarding his transfer: “It’s not easy for me to find the words. I have put my heart and soul into being a Rapid player, and I’m very proud to have played for my club for so long. Now a new and exciting chapter begins… It’s very important for me to thank the incredible fan community at Rapid, as well as my fellow players, the staff and the many coaches who have supported me from a very young age. I was able to fulfil my childhood dreams and play unforgettable games at the legendary Hanappi Stadium, and also at the Prater and our new home ground, as well as across Austria and throughout Europe. I wouldn’t have missed a single day of it, and now I will keep my fingers crossed for my teammates from afar, and whenever possible, I’ll be back in the stadium to support the team from the stands in Hütteldorf.”
After showing a fantastic level of development in recent years, the number 9 from SK Rapid II, Tobias Hedl, will move on a six-month loan to Zulte Waregem, the team at the top of the Belgian second division.
In the current 2.Liga season Tobias, the brother of senior keeper Niki Hedl, has scored 11 times, more than anyone else in the division, and unsurprisingly his form has led to him being called up for Austria’s U-21 national team.
We wish him all the best for this exciting opportunity, as Tobias gets a great chance to gather more valuable playing time in a team fighting for promotion and a title for the rest of the season!
Also leaving on loan is midfielder Dennis Kaygin, who will play for Eredivisie outfit Willem II in the Netherlands. He’s featured 26 times for the Rapid second team, as well as making 23 appearances for the senior team, and now he has a chance to continue his development with the side who won promotion to the Dutch top-flight last season, and now find themselves in the Eredivisie midfield.