The former Liverpool defender has been linked with moves to Celtic and West Ham United.
A reported Celtic and West Ham United transfer target has addressed what comes next for him amid future uncertainty.
Reports last week stated that Hoffenheim defender Ozan Kabak is wanted by the likes of Celtic, West Ham plus Serie A duo AC Milan and Roma. He is out of contract this summer and the defender previously of Liverpool has enjoyed a strong return to form after an ACL tear. A Turkish international, he started at Galatasaray before joining Stuttgart in Germany, and then joined Schalke. He moved to Liverpool on loan and Norwich City and has been at Hoffenheim since 2022.
Speaking in an interview with the Athletic, the copy states ‘the 25-year-old wants to be back playing in the Champions League next season, but whether that’s with current club Hoffenheim is uncertain’ and that could give Celtic an advantage. They will have that commodity to offer if they win the league and that could give them an upper hand on a side like West Ham United, who aren’t likely to have any European football through the Premier League. AC Milan and Roma, however, are fighting for Champions League spots in Serie A. The defender has now fronted up what comes next.
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Who will Ozan Kabak play for next season?
Kabak said: “No planning, not after what I’ve been through. I’m playing great now, and I think the big things are still ahead of me, I had to be so honest with myself because when things don’t go right, you begin to ask questions. I wondered whether I’d ever be back on the pitch again.
“I couldn’t even walk without pain, so for a period it felt unreal that I’d ever be playing professionally at the highest level again. It was not easy, but when you succeed and come back to the pitch, the feeling is priceless. I’m actually happy I went through it; not because of the injury, but because the process gave me so many things that I feel grateful for.
“I’m a mature man and player now, and a stronger human being. Last season was horrible for Hoffenheim, but since I returned from injury, I could feel the energy. We’re a team of winners, and it’s no coincidence we’re doing well because we train hard every day and have a passion for attacking football.
Ozan Kabak and what his style of play is?
I have never trained this hard or intensely in my career, and when you combine that with a good atmosphere, it helps. I try to connect with four or five headers per game. I know I’m good enough to be strong at set pieces, but talent isn’t enough. You need the mindset and the mentality, so if I don’t hit the ball for (the first) 10 times, I will still make the 11th run with the same passion.”
He also reflected on time at Liverpool, adding: “Even though I was only there for a short time, we had a good connection. When I walked in the streets, and outside the training ground, I felt the support.
“I think they are really special but it was a strange time. I was a 20-year-old transferring to another country at such a young age with a lot of pressure, and Liverpool were not doing very well.”
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