Moments ago, New York City FC announced that the club signed 24-year-old winger Hannes Wolf through 2027 with an option for 2028. Wolf joins from Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach. According to the official statement released by NYCFC, Wolf will join the club pending the receipt of his ITC and P-1 Visa.
Wolf reportedly joins NYCFC on a free transfer.
Wolf didn’t appear for Gladbach this season. The 5′ 10″ attacker underwent surgery in October 2023 to repair a torn meniscus injured in a friendly against Belgian side VV Sint-Truidenese V.V., and only recently returned to training.
Wolf plays primarily on the left. It’s unclear if he is expected to compete with Talles Magno for playing time at NYCFC, or if his arrival clears the way for the departure of the Designated Player, who is thought to want to leave New York City.
NYCFC is also rumored to be in the final stages of signing Agustín Ojeda, a 19-year-old winger who has three goals and two assists in 23 appearances for Racing Club de Avellaneda this season, including a goal against Atletico Nacional in the knockout round of the Copa Libertadores in August, 2023.
One of Austria’s most promising prospects
Born in Graz, Austria, Wolf made 18 appearances for Austria’s national youth teams. The 5′ 9″ attacker was once considered one of his country’s most promising prospects, but he was sidelined after suffering a “horrific” leg break in Austria’s win over Serbia in the European U21 Championship in 2019. He has yet to make an appearance for the Austrian senior team.
Wolf made his professional debut for Red Bull Salzburg in 2016, when he was just 18. He came on as a late substitute in Salzburg’s 2-0 UEFA Europa League group stage win over Schalke 04 in December of that year, providing an assist in the 94th minute.
As Hudson River Blue’s Mark Radigan reported earlier, Wolf moved to sister club Red Bull Leipzig in 2019, where he was loaned out to Gladbach. Wolf was purchased by Gladbach for €9.5 in the summer of 2021, where he was given the No 11 jersey. But the winger failed to earn a permanent spot on the First Team, and Wolf joined Swansea City on loan in 2022. He scored two goals and added three assists in 19 appearances Championship side, and returned to Gladbach after the end of the loan.
On the bench at Gladbach
Wolf made four starts for Gladbach in 2023. His last league game for Gladbach was on May 27, 2023, when he came on as a 70′ substitute in his team’s 2-0 win. Wolf had one goal and one assist in 18 appearances.
Because of that, Wolf’s recent highlight reel for Gladbach is relatively short:
