João Klauss

Klauss spent his youth career at local Brazilian clubs Internacional, Clube Juventude’s and Grêmio’s before moving to Europe. In January 2017, he signed his first professional contract with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim II, the reserve team of TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, after he was recruited by Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel, who was the Director of International Relations & Scouting at the German club at the time. 

After his first season in Hoffenheim, he was loaned to Finnish top-flight club HJK Helsinki, helping the club to the Veikkausliiga Championship while finishing his campaign as the league’s top scorer with 21 goals. 

The following season, he joined Austrian club Linzer ASK (LASK) and scored 24 goals across all competitions. In July 2020, Klauss returned to Hoffenheim’s first team, totaling 10 appearances (four in the Bundesliga, five in the Europa League and one in the DFB Cup). In 2022, Klauss was loaned to Belgian top-tier club Sint-Truidense V.V. before completing the move to St. Louis CITY SC.