Eintracht Frankfurt reaches deal with Real Madrid for Luka Jovic; Joshua Zirkzee needs a new destination

Eintracht Frankfurt has struck a deal with Real Madrid to bring back Luka Jovic for the remainder of this season. The deal likely ended any possibility for Bayern Munich’s Joshua Zirkzee to play under Adi Hutter.

Jovic, who became a breakout star in the Bundesliga with Die Adler, has struggled to assert himself with Real Madrid and a move back to Germany could be just what the 23-year-old needed.

Eintracht Frankfurt announced the move on its social media platforms and fans of Die Adler are very excited to bring home their wayward son, who will wear #9 upon his return to the pitch:

Per Eintracht Frankurt’s website:

Eintracht Frankfurt can count on the services of Luka Jovic until the end of this season. The striker, who played for the Eagles between 2017 and 2019, returns to the club on loan from Real Madrid.

Jovic scored 36 goals in 75 competitive matches during his first spell in Frankfurt and was part of the squad that won the DFB Cup in 2018. He is most remembered for his five-goal haul in the crushing 7-1 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf in October 2018, which made him the youngest player to score five goals in one Bundesliga game.

Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Fredi Bobic was ecstatic to be able to have Jovic back in the fold.

“Luka hasn’t had an easy time of late in Madrid,” said Bobic. “It’s important for him to find his form again. He had a strong desire to return to Eintracht.”

Bobic also explained why the loan works for Jovic, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Real Madrid alike.

“Luka can use the next few months to get back to his best in an environment that’s familiar to him,” Bobic said. “Real Madrid know that he’ll be well looked-after with us and can continue his development. And for us, it’s clear that we have another outstanding option at center-forward.”

Eintracht Frankfurt, of course, was a rumored destination for Zirkzee. Now, the 19-year-old striker will needs to find another club if he still wants a loan or transfer away from Säbener Straße.

Zirkzee, who travelled with Bayern Munich to Holstein Kiel, is currently suspended from Bundesliga competition due to kicking TSV 1860 Munich goalkeeper Marco Hiller in the face last weekend in 3. Liga action.