The midfielder came to the Freiburg academy from SC Pfullendorf as a 15-year-old, working his way through the U17, U19 and B teams of the side. During the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons, the two-time U18 international gained second division experience during a loan spell at FC Erzgebirge Aue. Since his return to Freiburg in summer 2013, the 32-year-old grew into a key player in Breisgau, operating in central midfield. ‘Chicco’ has since played 215 first division and 33 second division games for SC.

CEO Jochen Saier commented: “Chicco has been a core component of our team for many years, in the truest sense of the word. He anchors and dictates pace in our game, and not least due his career and mentality, really stands for the Freiburg way.”

“I’ve been at this club for so and feel so comfortable that extending was the only option,” Höfler said. “When you look at what we’ve achieved on the pitch these past few years, it really is a lot of fun. I want to carry on down this path.”

The details of his contract are to remain undisclosed.

Photo: Achim Keller