SV Elversberg Secures David Mokwa in Record Transfer Following Ebnoutalib’s Departure

SV Elversberg has responded to the departure of leading goal-scorer Younes Ebnoutalib from the 2. Bundesliga by making a record-setting acquisition of David Mokwa from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. According to various German football media sources, the Saarland club has invested €2 million, plus bonuses, to bring the France U19 international on board, marking Mokwa as Elversberg’s most expensive signing to date.

Hoffenheim has also safeguarded its investment by incorporating a buyback option into the contract. The club confirmed this arrangement in a statement on its official website. Although Mokwa, 21, is currently valued at €1 million, he has already made four first-team appearances for TSG. Notably, he scored in both his Europa League matches against Tottenham and Anderlecht last season.

In addition to his contributions in the Europa League, Mokwa has played a significant role in the success of Hoffenheim’s reserve team, TSG II. His remarkable performance was pivotal in securing the team’s promotion from the fourth division to the 3. Liga last year, as he netted an impressive 20 goals in 32 appearances during the 2024/25 Regionalliga campaign.

This season, Mokwa has experienced fluctuations between the senior team and the reserves, which has affected his goal-scoring form compared to his former teammate Ayoube Amaimouni-Echghouyab, who recently transferred to Eintracht Frankfurt. Unlike another former teammate, Hennes Behrens, who has moved to Heidenheim, Mokwa’s prospects for playing in the Bundesliga appeared uncertain.

Nevertheless, Mokwa has managed to score three goals in eight appearances for his 3. Liga team this year. He was included in TSG head coach Christian Ilzer’s Bundesliga matchday selection on three occasions, although he did not see play in significant matches against Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Hoffenheim prioritized finding Mokwa a more suitable developmental environment during the current January transfer window. While a loan deal was likely, Elversberg’s purchase offer changed the course of action. TSG sporting director Andreas Schicker emphasized that the club will closely monitor Mokwa’s progress and will not hesitate to utilize the buyback option if necessary.

“David has developed very positively in our academy over the past few years and has also shown his great potential in the professional arena,” Schicker stated. “We will continue to monitor his progress closely.”

Ole Book, sporting director at Elversberg, expressed enthusiasm for Mokwa’s addition, saying, “David brings many qualities that we want to see in our attacking play. He is creative, dynamic, and a proven team player. He has already proven his potential several times in his still young career. We look forward to continuing this journey together in Elversberg.”

Mokwa himself shared his excitement about this new challenge, stating, “This is a very exciting new task. In recent years, the club has not only attracted attention for its sporting achievements but also stands for an active, offensive style of play that I really like.”