John Brooks will not return to Hoffenheim when his contract expires next month, the Bundesliga club has announced.
The defender joined Hoffenheim from Benfica in January 2023, and went on to play 39 games for the club.
Brooks stabilized the club’s defense last season, helping it avoid relegation. After beginning this season as a starter, the 31-year-old eventually lost his position as Hoffenheim qualified for the Europa Conference League with a seventh-place finish.
“Jay came to us in a very challenging sporting situation to bring stability to the defense with his enormous experience and personality,” Hoffenheim’s managing director for sport, Alexander Rosen, said in a statement.
“With his qualities and remarkable presence, he had an impact on our game from day one. Over the past year and a half, Jay has played a key role in helping us stay out of the relegation zone last season and qualify for a European competition this term.”
Brooks was a onetime fixture of the U.S. men’s national team, but has not been capped since September 2021.
Overall, Brooks has 45 caps for the USMNT and three goals — including a memorable winning header against Ghana at the 2014 World Cup.
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