TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Signing
FC Cincinnati have acquired forward Franko Kovacevic from TSG Hoffenheim on loan through June 2021, the club announced Monday. Cincy have the option to extend the loan through the 2021 season.
FCC and Hoffenheim announced a partnership on Sept. 25. Kovacevic's loan is the first player movement between the two clubs.
“We are glad to be able to utilize our partnership with Hoffenheim in such a short period of time after the two clubs have partnered,” GM Gerard Nijkamp said in a club statement. “Franko is a player that will provide competition for our forward position group. We look forward to getting him integrated within our team so that he is familiar with the organization, club philosophy and city prior to the start of the 2021 season.”
Kovacevic, 21, is a Croatian youth international forward. He began his professional career with HNK Hajduk Split, making 10 appearances with the first team and a further 13 on loan with NK Rudes in the Croatian top flight before joining Hoffenheim in 2019.
He has yet to feature with the Bundesliga club's first team, but has six goals and an assist in 11 appearances for the club's second team.
Cincinnati have struggled in 2020, with 13 points from 17 matches thus far with a league-low eight goals scored. Forward Jurgen Locadia is expected to be out a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury.
