Florian Grillitsch: Who is the Hoffenheim and Austria all-rounder?
Florian Grillitsch scored one of the goals of the season in 2023/24, but the Hoffenheim and Austria midfielder is better known for his defensive work...
Stats correct as of 10 June 2024
Age: 28
Club: Hoffenheim
Position: Defensive midfielder/central midfielder/centre-back
Country: Austria (43 caps, one goal)
Key stats
Grillitsch had not long won the U18 Austrian championship with St. Pölten when Werder Bremen made their move in summer 2013. He produced 10 goals and eight assists in 16 U19 Bundesliga appearances for the Green-Whites, and had a direct hand in a further 16 goals in 36 reserve-team outings, before debuting for the senior side, aged 17, in the 2015/16 DFB Cup first round.
Having marked his milestone outing with an assist, Grillitsch was rewarded with his first Bundesliga start just days later. It was one of 48 Bundesliga appearances he made for the four-time Bundesliga champions, before switching to Hoffenheim in January 2017. He took his senior international bow soon after, having represented his country at every level since the U17s.
The 2023/24 campaign was Grillitsch's eighth full season of Bundesliga football, following a year-long diversion in the Netherlands with Ajax. He's played in 208 German top-flight games to date, registering seven goals and 20 assists, including a stunning strike from inside his own half in September 2023.
Plays a bit like: Bastian Schweinsteiger
Grillitsch's hounding of opposition players coupled with his ability to roll his man, carry the ball and ping passes left, right and centre is remniscent of prime Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The Austria international also has versatilty in common with the Bayern Munich and Germany legend, who was an attacking wide player in his youth and featured at centre-back in is twilight years at Chicago Fire.
Watch: The best of Florian Grillitsch
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Did you know?
Grillitsch has been pushed deeper and deeper with age, even lining up at centre-back on occasion. It's a far cry from his teenaged years - he topped the 2012/13 Austrian U18 league scoring charts with 22 goals.
What they're saying
"Florian is an extremely gifted footballer. He has a real football brain and great technique, and can apply himself to a number of different roles." - Hoffenheim sporting director Alexander Rosen
"'Grillo' is a real calming influence in the midfield, and his distribution is fantastic." - RB Leipzig midfielder and Austria teammate Xaver Schlager
"The way he interprets playing at centre-back is fantastic." - ex-Hoffenheim head coach Sebastian Hoeneß
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