BERLIN, July 31 -- Schalke's midfielder Sebastian Rudy returns to his former club after agreeing on a loan deal with Hoffenheim, both Bundesliga sides confirmed on Wednesday.
The 29-year-old German international leaves the "Royal Blues" after just one season to join Hoffenheim on loan for one season.
"You don't have to say a lot about Sebastian's qualities. He has left his marks after more than 200 games and proved what an extraordinary football player he is," Hoffenheim's director of professional football Alexander Rosen said.
Sebastian Rudy played already from 2010 until 2017 for the "TSG" where he scored 12 goals in 212 appearances. The midfielder joined Schalke in August 2018, after putting pen to paper on a deal until June 2022, but he never made his breakthrough.
"The past season wasn't ideal for me, the more motivated I am to return. The conditions here are almost perfect. I know the staff and the club. Besides, my way of playing football is appreciated," Rudy said.
Hoffenheim face Eintracht Frankfurt for their Bundesliga season opener on August 18.