Hoffenheim announced Ajax assistant coach Alfred Schreuder as a surprise replacement for departing coach Julian Nagelsmann on Tuesday.

Rising star Nagelsmann, 31, is set to take over at RB Leipzig next season, in a move announced last year, and Schreuder, 46, has now been confirmed as his successor, signing a contract until 2022.

"I'm very happy this has worked out. Alfred has been one of our top candidates ever since Julian announced that he was going," said Hoffenheim investor Dietmar Hopp.

Schreuder is a familiar face at Hoffenheim, having worked at the club as an assistant coach under Nagelsmann and predecessor Huub Stevens from 2015 to 2018.

Since then, he has worked as an assistant to Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag, helping the club to their sensational triumph over Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League earlier this month.

"I thank Ajax for their understanding and for fulfilling my transfer wish," said Schreuder.

"This is a big chance for me to coach a motivated and highly talented group of players."

"It will obviously help that I know the structures and people at Hoffenheim," said Schreuder.

"I am very happy to be here, and am very ambitious to make an impact as head coach and continue the club's recent success."

Schreuder will start work on July 1, as Nagelsmann departs for Leipzig.