Overview
- Rot‑Weiss Essen confirmed on Wednesday that the 36‑year‑old Klaus Gjasula and the club have mutually terminated his contract at the player's request for family reasons.
- The June termination reverses an automatic one‑year extension that took effect in April after Gjasula reached a 25‑appearance performance clause.
- Regional media and Transfermarkt report that Gjasula will remain in the 3. Liga and has been linked to TSG Hoffenheim II, with Hoffenheim publicly confirming the signing in an update on June 11.
- Gjasula made 48 appearances for RWE with two goals and five assists and was widely praised as a locker‑room leader, a loss the club says it can cover partly through recent signings such as Janne Sietan.
- Beyond the pitch, the move lets Gjasula live closer to family and positions him to mentor younger players at Hoffenheim II while RWE adjusts its midfield plan ahead of the new season.