In Cologne since 2017
©IMAGO
He played in the Austrian Bundesliga and the German second division. Simon Handle left his mark primarily in the 3rd league at Viktoria Köln. After the season, the 33-year-old winger will end his career, as his club announced on Friday.
Handle was trained at Red Bull Salzburg. As a professional, he not only made it to the Bundesliga with SV Grödig, but also made it to the Europa League qualification under coach Adi Hütter. From 2015/16 things continued to be lower class in Germany. With Erzgebirge Aue they were promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga, after which Handle was initially loaned out to SV Elversberg. In 2017/18 he moved to the then fourth division club Viktoria Köln, which Handle helped to promotion to the third division with 17 goals.
Since then, the Trostberg native has played 309 games for Viktoria – second in the club’s history behind Mike Wunderlich. In the third division, Handle has made a total of 264 appearances so far – fifth place among all active third division professionals. Only 29 other professionals besides Handle recorded more than 260 in the league.
Viktoria boss regrets Handle’s decision
“It’s not important how you got there – it’s what people think of you when you leave,” said sports director Franz Wunderlich, father of record player Mike, about Handle’s end to his career. “The fact that Simon is the second record player behind Mike says a lot about his role at Viktoria Köln. He is not only a great footballer, but also a great person. A complete professional who has always done everything for the club and the team.”
Wunderlich regrets Handles’ move, as the official emphasized. At the same time, he also has “great respect” for the decision. “Simon is currently playing one of his best seasons, is in top condition both football-wise and physically. He is also virtually indispensable for the team and the dressing room,” Wunderlich explained his view. “Accordingly, Simon and the club will always be closely connected. We wish him only the best for the future and will always keep the doors in Höhenberg open for him.”
Handle said about his farewell: “Our journey together is not over yet. The next three games against Aachen, Duisburg and Fortuna have a very special value for me. I can promise that we will do everything together to get the maximum result.”
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