Ádám Szalai has signed with FC Basel – official

Ádám Szalai leaves Mainz (Photo: AFP)

The German club announced that at the request of the Hungarian striker, they had terminated his contract with Szalai before the end of the winter transfer window. Szalai's contract was due to expire at the end of this season and he signed with FC Basel until the summer of 2023.

Christian Heidel, Mainz's sports director, said on the club's official website that after a short discussion, they had decided not to stand in Ádám Szalai's way. The expert said Szalai had done a lot for the team, and it will never be forgotten.

"I am delighted that Basel will give me the chance to help the team, especially the young players, with my experience and attitude," said Ádám Szalai on Basel's official website. "Because of my body build, I've always played center forward, I can keep the ball and put my teammates in position. But I also try to score goals."

Following the departure of Arthur Cabral – the Brazilian has signed with Fiorentina –, FC Basel signs the second striker. Previously, CSKA Moscow loaned Fyodor Chalov to the club until the end of the season.

Ádám Szalai made 276 appearances in the German topflight in 12 years, scoring a total of 54 goals. In terms of the former, only Pál Dárdai (286) is ahead of him from the Hungarians, while he is first in the relevant Hungarian ranking regarding the goals. He played football for Mainz from 2010 to 2013 and from 2019 until now. The 34-year-old striker has played 146 games for Mainz and scored 28 times. Between the two Mainz periods, he spent one season at Schalke and then five years at Hoffenheim, except for a six-month loan period.

With Szalai's arrival, the number of Hungarian footballers in the Swiss topflight increased to three. The Hungarian national team captain joined Bendegúz Bolla (on loan to Grasshoppers) and Kevin Varga (on loan to Young Boys). FC Basel already has a Hungarian footballer: 17-year-old Zsombor Gruber, whom they loaned from the Puskás Akadémia until the summer, plays in the club's farm team.

Translated by Vanda Orosz