The transfer market is gaining momentum
Three German clubs struck on New Year’s Day
01/01/2025 – 8:31 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The new year has only just begun, but preparations for the second half of the season are already underway with the first and second division teams. This can also be seen on the transfer market.
German football fans no longer have to be patient. The winter break, at least in the Bundesliga, will be over in just a week and a half. The 2nd Bundesliga follows a week later. Tomorrow, Thursday, not only the FC Bayern players will start training again, preparation for the rest of the season will also begin elsewhere.
The fact that things are slowly starting to get going again can also be seen on the transfer market. Some first and second division teams have already struck. 1. FC Köln, for example, announced the transfer of right-back Jusuf Gazibegović in mid-December in order to achieve promotion again. Bundesliga promoted Holstein Kiel presented its new central defender David Zec on Christmas Eve. And second division club Magdeburg had already completed the transfer of striker Alexander Ahl Holmström in November.
On New Year’s Day, three other clubs also bagged their first winter signings. Bundesliga club St. Pauli struck in the USA, loaning defensive midfielder James Sands from New York City FC for six months. Sands, who is also a US international, can even stay in Hamburg until 2026 via an option.
Coach Alexander Blessin is looking forward to his new signing: “With James we are getting a clever player who has a very good understanding of the game and, thanks to his clean technique, finds constructive solutions under pressure.”
The ambitious second division team Hannover 96 has also strengthened. U21 national player Kenneth Schmidt is coming to Lower Saxony on loan from SC Freiburg. The left-footed central defender is intended to strengthen the thin personnel base in the defense center. Sports director Marcus Mann said that Schmidt had been on the list for a long time. “He has a good pace, completes his tasks against the ball in a clear manner and also finds very good solutions in building up the game. With him we gain even more variability in defense,” said Mann.
In Freiburg, Schmidt didn’t play a single game due to injuries and was only used in the U23 team. At 96, he should now gain important match practice under new coach André Breitenreiter.
A new player can also be seen almost 120 kilometers southwest of Hanover. SC Paderborn has loaned out Finnish international Casper Terho. The 21-year-old winger comes from Belgian first division club Royale Union Saint Gilloise and will strengthen the offensive with his intensity and playful qualities. Shortly before the winter break, coach Lukas Kwasniok complained about the lack of individual quality in the squad. “You just need two to three players if you want to get to the top,” said Kwasniok. According to rumors, Marvin Mehlem (Hull City, formerly Darmstadt 98) will also join the East Westphalians.