The Belgian midfielder joined TSG Hoffenheim from Anderlecht during the summer after a breakthrough campaign that established him as one of the most highly regarded young players in Belgium.
Speaking to Bild, De Cat said the people at Hoffenheim and the opportunity to play were decisive when he considered his next move.
“The people involved here were extremely important to me. And of course the prospect of playing time. For a young player, it is the most important thing to collect as many minutes as possible. I think you have to choose the right people at the right time and the right next step. Hoffenheim was simply the best option for me.”
De Cat’s decision came despite reported interest from Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart. Hoffenheim completed the move for a fee reported at €20 million in the supplied source, although other reports have put the eventual package higher depending on bonuses.
Bundesliga.com confirmed that De Cat signed a contract running until June 2031. He arrived in Germany after making 46 competitive appearances for Anderlecht during the 2025/26 season, scoring three times and providing five assists.
He also earned his first Belgium senior call-up in March, underlining how quickly his profile had risen.
The first weeks at Hoffenheim have been less straightforward. De Cat has had to wait for opportunities and was left on the bench for the full 90 minutes in each of the club’s last two matches.
That lack of immediate involvement does not appear to have changed his view of the transfer. His comments instead underline why playing time was so important when he weighed up the alternatives during the summer.
At 18, De Cat has moved into a new league and a different footballing environment, with Hoffenheim offering him a long-term platform rather than simply a short-term move.
The challenge now is to turn that opportunity into the regular minutes he identified as the most important part of his development. For Hoffenheim, the hope will be that the young midfielder can gradually justify the investment that brought him from Anderlecht.