Martin Hinteregger is returning to professional football for the first time since he left Eintracht Frankfurt at the peak of his powers in 2022.
The 32-year-old has signed for his local side Austria Klagenfurt who play in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Hinteregger rather bizarrely retired in 2022 after winning the Europa League at the age of 29 and as an international regular with 67 caps for Austria.
The decision was allegedly triggered by the controversy over business links to far-right politician Heinrich Sickl with whom he organised a local football tournament.
Since stepping away from professional football Hinteregger stayed out of the headlines by coaching and playing for his amateur boyhood side SGA Sirnitz.
However, he was in the news once again in September 2024 when he was suspended after footage went viral of him pushing over a supporter.
Now, just two months later, Hinteregger is back again, explaining his return to professional football.
“I always listened to my gut feeling,” he said. “After years of physical and mental stress, it was important for me to get some distance and reorient my life.
“But I have now realised that my story as a footballer is not yet over, that I am ready to compete and prove myself at a high level.
“Austria Klagenfurt and the Wörthersee Stadium mean home to me and I can hardly wait to be back on the pitch. I will do everything I can to contribute to our success as a team.”
Leave a Reply