Lukas Mazagg won the Regionalliga Südwest championship this year. © lu_maz21

The unusual path of a South Tyrolean footballer

Lukas Mazagg from Glurns is 25 years old and was promoted to Germany's third division this year with TSG Hoffenheim's reserve team. We spoke with the Vinschgau native about his unusual career path and his future.

June 04, 2025

From: dl

At the age of 12, Mazagg moved to Germany—more specifically, to Bavaria—to attend the football boarding school in Bad Aibling. After graduating from high school, he played for Würzburger Kickers and Wacker Burghausen (Regionalliga) before moving to Meppen in the 2022. Liga in 3. Although Mazagg established himself as a regular starter during the relegation season there, the defender took an unusual step two years ago and joined Hoffenheim II in the Regionalliga Südwest, the fourth-highest league.

In conversation with SportNews Mazagg explained this unusual step: "I was never in a proper youth academy (NLZ) as a youth player. I deliberately took a step back to get a fresh start, and I have to say that, in retrospect, it worked out perfectly." For an U23 team like Hoffenheim, the focus is less on the match result and more on the development of the individual.

Benefits from the location

"The training facilities at Hoffenheim are of the highest standard and in no way comparable to those of a third-division club. I've trained incredibly hard and made good use of it over the past two years. I was also a leader and one of the oldest players in the team. My strength has always been tackling, but thanks to the intensive work, I've improved enormously in my ball skills," explained Mazagg, who plays both as a center-back and left-back.

Lukas Mazagg was captain of Hoffenheim's reserves. Now they're moving up to the 3rd division. © lu_maz21

At Hoffenheim, which boasts one of Germany's most modern training centers, Mazagg has already been able to train with the first team, where Croatian World Cup runner-up Andrej Kramaric is arguably the most well-known name. He also played in the reserves last year alongside Tom Bischof (19), who will join Bayern Munich this summer after an outstanding Bundesliga season.

“I deliberately took a step back in order to make a fresh start.” Luke Mazagg

Hoffenheim II will play in the third division in the future. However, captain Mazagg has not renewed his expiring contract – despite an offer from the club. "I will soon be signing with an ambitious third-division club," Mazagg said. One thing is clear: This time, it will be a truly traditional club and not another reserve team.