No wasted time: Koki Machida returns to Union after hell at Hoffenheim
After more than a year of inactivity, Japanese defender Koki Machida makes his return to Union Saint-Gilloise, finally emerging from the ordeal he endured at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. His journey, marked by a serious injury and a prolonged absence, has sparked enthusiasm among supporters who cheered him on upon his return.
A difficult spell at Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim is now linked with Nathan De Cat, according to many Belgian football followers, while the club also signed Koki Machida for just under five million euros. From the moment he arrived, Machida experienced a real nightmare: he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in his very first Bundesliga match, which ended his season as early as August.
This injury forced the player into a lengthy recovery. The following summer, he began a gradual comeback, first playing a half‑hour with the U23s at the start of September, before being recalled to the senior eleven.
The return to the first team
Hoffenheim, second‑last in the Bundesliga with three points from fifteen, reintegrated Machida earlier than expected after an initial rise onto the pitch. He therefore featured in the club’s last two matches as a starter, key moments when supporters chanted his name after more than a month away.
Machida now has to help Union Saint-Gilloise to survive, especially against his former coach Alexander Blessin, who is now in charge of Borussia Mönchengladbach.
A glorious memory in Belgium
Before his departure, the defender was one of the standout figures at Parc Duden, having scored the only goal in the 2024 Belgian Cup final against Antwerp, the club’s first trophy since its rise to the First Division A.
On social media, he said: "Such a special moment" while reflecting on his emotional return, reminding fans of how important this moment was for him and for the club.
Support from the fans and the prospect of a fresh start under Alexander Blessin’s leadership give Machida a platform to revive his career and contribute to Union Saint-Gilloise’s ambitions.