Transfer deadline day saw a notable move in German football, as Luis Engelns, the 18-year-old central midfielder and son of Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, completed his switch to TSG Hoffenheim.
This isn’t just a regular transfer; it highlights how young players are making their mark, even with a father in a high-profile Premier League role. Engelns, who uses his mother’s surname, finalized the deal after a successful medical on February 2, 2026.
Hoffenheim sits third in the Bundesliga. They’re nine points back from Bayern Munich, three behind Borussia Dortmund. This move brings a promising talent to a club aiming for its best ever finish, matching their 2017/18 season under Julian Nagelsmann.
Engelns Joins Hoffenheim Development Squad
The deal sees Engelns depart FC Paderborn from the 2. Bundesliga. He played 17 games for them this 2025/26 season, scoring one goal. He also has four caps for Germany U19, so he’s not new to high-level play for his age.
Hoffenheim’s Technical Director, Paul Pajduch, commented on the signing. “Luis is an exciting player with excellent game intelligence and a strong presence in central midfield,” Pajduch said. He added, “Now he can take the next step in his development here, gain important playing time in the 3rd division and get used to the level of the Bundesliga.”
And that’s the plan. Engelns is heading straight into Hoffenheim’s third division team. This gives him time to adapt, to grow. It’s a smart pathway for an 18-year-old making such a jump.
Farke’s Son Forges His Own Path
It’s interesting to see Luis Engelns step out, especially with his father, Daniel Farke, managing Leeds United. Farke senior had a solid playing career himself, scoring 124 goals in 256 games. Mostly with Lippstadt, in the German lower leagues. He even joked once about his own playing style, saying, “I knew how to score, but was probably the slowest striker in the whole of western Europe.”
But his son is on a different track. Breaking into the Paderborn first team late in 2024, Engelns has quickly gained professional experience. His father had commented on Paderborn’s form then, noting, “They are surprising me, in a good position, and obviously it’s my home city. My fingers are crossed for them as well.”
The move to Hoffenheim means Engelns is already outpacing his dad’s playing career. He’s at a Bundesliga club at 18. That’s a good sign for his future, don’t you think?
Deadline Day Activity and Future Outlook
Hoffenheim was busy on deadline day. They had some other moves too, like offloading Mërgim Berisha, apparently. The January transfer window saw Leeds also active, bringing in Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton. No big surprises there for Leeds, though.
Paderborn, Engelns’ old club, is right in the mix for the 2. Bundesliga title race, three points behind Schalke. So, he leaves them in a strong position.
For Engelns, this move is all about development. Getting playing time in the third division and slowly integrating into a top-flight environment. It gives him the best chance to make an impact on the Bundesliga stage down the line. It’s a smart long-term play from Hoffenheim.
