Austria's Hoffer joins Kaiserslautern on loan

Published Jul. 15, 2010 7:03 a.m. ET

foxsports

Kaiserslautern has signed Austria striker Erwin Hoffer on a one-year loan from Napoli as it strengthens its squad ahead of a return to the Bundesliga.

The 23-year-old Hoffer, who also has played for Rapid Vienna, said Thursday that the deal offers him ''a great opportunity to play a role in the national team again.''

Kaiserslautern, the 1998 Bundesliga champion, is returning to the top flight after a four-year absence. It won the second-division title last year.