Image:Matthieu Delpierre: The Stuttgart defender is hoping to get his injury ravaged career back on track at Hoffenheim
Markus Babbel believes he has found the answer to Hoffenheim's defensive problems after agreeing a deal to sign Matthieu Delpierre.
Frenchman has not featured this season for Stuttgart through injury
Markus Babbel believes he has found the answer to Hoffenheim's defensive problems after agreeing a deal to sign Matthieu Delpierre from Stuttgart on a free in the summer.
The 30-year-old Frenchman has struggled to make an impact at Stuttgart this season after a succession of niggling injuries kept him in the treatment room.
But now the former skipper is hoping to kick-start his career at a new club after being told he will not be offered a new deal when his current one runs out at the end of the season.
Outstanding defender
Hoffenheim coach Babbel told the club's official website: "Matthieu is an outstanding defender, who will help us become even more solid at the back."
The 30-year-old former Lille defender joined the club in 2004 but has yet to make an appearance for the club this season due to injury.
"Delpierre has gone through some tough months lately," Babbel told German newspaper Bild. "He has, however, done a great job for the club in recent seasons.
"We have got some work to do on our defensive positions because we have got a few young lads that are not really ready for regular action.
"From my point of view this needs to be taken seriously. We have just three central defenders and if one was to get injured it would be tough for us. It would be even worse if another was to pull out at the same time."
