The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Ex-Sturm Graz star Jantscher’s Hong Kong exit down to personal reasons, no fallout after forward left out of Kitchee side

Jakob Jantscher has 10 goals from 23 appearances for Kitchee after joining from Sturm Graz in August

Hong Kong Premier League champions chasing nap-hand of honours, host North District on Saturday

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Jakob Jantscher is aiming for a clean sweep of domestic honours before leaving Kitchee in the summer. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 5:30pm, 9 Apr 2024

Jakob Jantscher is intent on completing an all-conquering campaign in Hong Kong, after the forward confirmed he would leave Kitchee at the end of the season.

The former Sturm Graz player joined the reigning champions in August, but despite lavishing praise on the conditions at the club decided to end his short stay to return to his homeland of Austria, “because I am a guy who loves to be around my family”.

“The facilities are top, absolutely perfect, Kitchee is very professional, and much better than some clubs in Austria,” Jantscher said. “I really love the club, but some private things [govern career decisions].

“My dog died after 14 years, and my grandparents are not in a good condition. After 18 years as a professional footballer, you think, ‘Is it worth one more year outside Austria?’

“I am leaving because of my family, it is not about the club.”

Austrian Jakob Jantscher scored four goals in Kitchee’s AFC Champions League campaign. Photo: Sam Tsang

Head coach Kim Dong-jin omitted Jantscher from his squad for Saturday’s league meeting with Eastern, which finished 0-0. Three days earlier, following a Sapling Cup semi-final victory over Tai Po, Kim said he had heard nothing about Jantscher’s plans to depart. On the same night, the player told the Post he would definitely leave.