Stefan Ilsanker

Eintracht signed experienced defensive midfielder Stefan Ilsanker from Leipzig on 31 January 2020 on a contract until 2022.

Born in Hallein in Austria, Ilsanker is naturally a holding midfielder but has also acquitted himself in the centre of defence and occasionally at right-back in the past. The 1.90 metre-tall man proved his versatility in first-team football at SV Mattersburg from 2010 to 2012, at FC Salzburg between 2012 and 2015 and at Leipzig since 2015.

It was during his time in Salzburg, where Ilsanker also came through the youth system, that the 30-year-old got to know Eintracht head coach Adi Hütter and his new teammate Martin Hinteregger as the trio won the Austrian double together in 2015.

At Leipzig, Ilsanker – who has been capped 42 times by Austria – played a significant role in the club’s rise from the second division to the UEFA Champions League, making 131 appearances in all competitions.

“In Stefan Ilsanker we’ve recruited an experienced and tried-and-tested Bundesliga player,” said board member Fredi Bobic on the signing. “Above all, he’s someone who can help the team right away and will give us more flexibility.”

Stefan Ilsanker has been given the No.3 shirt at Eintracht.