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Gia Corley will be leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the season and signing with Hoffenheim on a free transfer. Her new contract runs through the summer of 2023.
“In TSG Hoffenheim, I have found a club that will continue to have the ambition to play at the top in the Bundesliga in the years to come,” Corley told the Hoffenheim website. Hoffenheim are in their eighth season in the top flight, and after last season’s third place finish, they’re right back there again this season behind Bayern and Wolfsburg. This is important, because beginning this season, the third place finisher in the Frauen Bundesliga also qualifies for the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time ever.
The 18-year-old forward has been capped 43 times for Germany’s youth teams, including winning the 2019 European U-17 Championship while wearing the captain’s armband. She was awarded the 2019 Fritz Walter Bronze Medal and the 2020 Fritz Walter Silver Medal.
“We would have loved to renew with Gia,” Bayern Frauen Sporting Director Bianca Rech said. “But, of course, we respect her desire to face a new challenge and wish her all the best at TSG Hoffenheim.”
Corley made her debut for Bayern’s first team this season, picking up 10 appearances across the Frauen Bundesliga, Frauen DFB Pokal, and the Women’s Champions League; however, Corley sees the need to gain regular playing time at another club in order to become a national team player.
“After the first few talks, I had a good feeling because it worked out for me personally,” Corley added. “At the same time, I see an opportunity for myself in Hoffenheim to take the next steps both personally and in terms of football and thus develop into a national team player.”
Good luck, Gia.