Frankfurt park attacking prospect Matanovic with Karlsruhe

Eintracht Frankfurt confirmed on Thursday afternoon that attacking prospect Igor Matanovic would be headed back to the 2. Bundesliga on a fresh loan-out. 

After signing German striker Igor Matanovic from FC St. Pauli in the summer of 2021, Eintracht Frankfurt immediately parked their prospective purchase back with his Hamburg-based youth club for an extended two-year loan-stint. On Thursday, the SGE confirmed that the 20-year-old would receive another loan-out to Germany’s second division. This time, the tall striker will get a chance to hone his skills with Baden’s Karlsruher SC.

Matanovic accrued little playing time with the “Kiezkicker” last season due to a shoulder injury. Eintracht personnel boss Timo Hardung issued a statement in which he insisted that the club remained “absolutely convinced” of the forward’s abilities. Hardung explained that the youngster, who has represented both Germany and Croatia at youth level, simply needed more playing practice.

“With Igor we get a player capable of development, who despite his young age has already gained some experience in our league,” KSC head-coach Christian Eichner noted in a press release “We want to help him, similar to [current 1. FC Union Berlin striker] Mikkel Kaufmann, to take the next step in his career. He increases our options in the forward with his height, but also with his game intelligence and we are very happy that the signing has worked out.”

“The fans are outstanding and the atmosphere here has always been top-notch,” Matanovic himself noted, “That’s exactly how you want it as a footballer. I’m really looking forward to playing here soon.”

Both clubs have confirmed that the deal does not include a purchase option.

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