Croatia defender Simunic joins Hoffenheim

Croatia central defender Josip Simunic is joining Hoffenheim from Bundesliga rival Hertha Berlin on a three-year contract.

Hertha said late Tuesday that Simunic, 31, activated a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave immediately. Neither Hertha nor Hoffenheim gave further details of the transfer.

Simunic is expected "to give our team further stability in a central role and pass on his years of experience," Hoffenheim manager Jan Schindelmeiser said. "I am sure that our young players will benefit greatly from him on and off the field."

The arrival of Simunic, who had been with Hertha for nine years, follows Hoffenheim's signing last week of 18-year-old Argentina midfielder Franco Zuculini.

Hoffenheim finished seventh last season, its first in the top division.