He’s wearing the eagle on his chest as well as on his back now. Goalkeeper Jens Grahl has signed a three-year contract in Frankfurt until 2024, and the 32-year-old seemed to have a premonition about where he could be heading even before his move. At least that’s what the eagle tattoo on his back implies. In keeping with the neat body art, Grahl is excited to be at Eintracht. “I will certainly give my all,” he said.
Grahl came through the youth system at VfB Stuttgart before spending a year with Stuttgarter Kickers U19 in 2005 and then moving to SpVgg Greuther Fürth. The keeper made his professional breakthrough with the Cloverleaves before joining TSG Hoffenheim in 2009, where he stayed – aside from a one-year loan to SC Paderborn in the 2011/12 campaign – until 2016.
The 1.92-metre tall ‘keeper made 12 Bundesliga and four DFB Cup appearances for the Kraichgau club, including both meetings against Eintracht in the 2013/14 season.
Old acquaintances
In 2016, Grahl returned home to his boyhood club Stuttgart, where he spent the last five years until his move to Eintracht a week ago. He’ll be encountering a familiar face in board member for sport Markus Krösche – the pair played together for Paderborn.
