Sensation: Ex-ÖFB kicker Hinteregger celebrates his professional comeback

In summer 2022 Martin Hinteregger ended his professional career. The Carinthian moved from the Europa League winner Eintracht Frankfurt to his homeland SGA Sirnitz where from then on he played football on various village squares. Now the 32-year-old is making a comeback as a professional Austria Klagenfurt in the Bundesliga.

“I always listened to my gut feeling. After very physically and mentally demanding years, it was important for me to gain some distance and realign my life. But it has now become clear to me that my story as a footballer is not over yet, 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 do my part to ensure that we are successful as a team,” Martin Hinteregger was quoted as saying in a club release.

Hinteregger played overall 67 times for the Austrian national team and took part in the two European Championships in 2016 and 2021. He trained with Austria returnees for many years Aleksandar Dragovic a strong duo in central defense. Now the two will cross paths again in the Bundesliga.

Klagenfurt’s managing director Günther Gorenzel says: “Martin Hinteregger has taken an unusual career path; after extremely successful years at Eintracht Frankfurt, he decided to take a break at his personal peak. We were in regular contact and dealt with each other openly and honestly during this time. He has caught fire again, the motivation and ambition are back. We are pleased that he will bring his class and experience to Austria and are convinced that he will be an asset to our club in every respect.”