Albutat looking for a club after a cruciate ligament tear – Uerdingen’s license withdrawal was “a shock”

Among the most valuable Germans without a club

Things are looking up for Tim Albutat. After a serious injury, he has been without a club since the summer of 2021, but is physically fit again and is eager for a new task. With 52 second division and 117 third division appearances, he has a great deal of experience and has seen a lot in his career so far. Sven Bauer (Lapdog) spoke for Transfermarkt to the 29-year-old midfielder, who with a market value of 150,000 euros is one of the most valuable Germans without a club, about his time of suffering, his comeback, former employers and who his greatest support is.

Transfer market: Mr. Albutat, in April 2021 you suffered a cruciate ligament rupture. When and how did it happen and did you know right away how badly you injured yourself?

Tim Albutat: We had a very long training session and in the last few minutes I twisted my knee when changing direction. I realized very quickly that it could be worse.

Transfer market: How long did it take you to digest that and when did the fighting spirit prevail?

Albutate: It actually happened relatively quickly that I looked ahead again and then tried to support the team (KFC Uerdingen, ed.) in all games in order to achieve our goal of staying up in the league.

Transfer market: This type of injury takes a few months off. What was your daily routine like in the first few weeks and how did you deal with setbacks yourself?

Albutate: I always go to rehab for a few hours early in the morning to complete my physical therapy program. Unfortunately, the rehab did not go optimally at the beginning, which is why I then changed the facility again.

Transfer market: What kind of support did you get from clubs, former players or coaches and which experiences particularly encouraged you or perhaps disappointed you?

Albutate: I have already received some messages from former companions, which of course is good for you at this moment. But you also notice that as an injured player you quickly disappear from the focus of the clubs.

Albutat on trials: Clubs have “consistently positive impression of me”

Transfer market: In your private life, you “fixed” your happiness and married your girlfriend. In addition, you will soon be a father. How important was this basis for you and to what extent does it awaken a new fire in you?

Albutate: My wife has been a tremendous support to me. At times I was also treated by her, as she herself does a great job as a physiotherapist. Thanks to her, I was then able to make very good progress in rehabilitation. You can tell that having a family gives you a boost and you want your child to have a few more good years in football. I would like to bring her onto the pitch after a game in a few years and have such an experience with her.

Transfer market: They got through the phase and are physically and mentally fit and at the same level as last season. You were allowed to introduce yourself in trial training sessions and, as a professional, you don’t shy away from completing them. How were you rated?

Albutate: I think that because I worked very well in rehab, I was able to keep up with every club and the clubs all have a positive impression of me. Which club I’ll be playing for in the summer hasn’t been decided yet.

Transfer market: What is the current state of affairs?

Albutate: As a competitive athlete, I always want to play as high as possible. But in general there are also some interesting clubs that play in the fourth division. First of all, I’m happy that I’m fit again and I know that no matter where I end up playing, I’ll do everything to be successful myself and with the club.

Transfer market: At 29 you still have a few more years in the sport ahead of you. What goals have you set yourself?

Albutate: Another climb would be nice. Those have always been great moments in my career. I just want to get everything out of my body again in the next few years and see what’s possible.

Brdaric, Littbarski & Co.
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Transfer market: How closely have you followed football in recent months and has your view of things changed during this time?

Albutate: As I said before, you get a little out of focus. The togetherness with the boys in the dressing room is missing. As a result, I have increasingly focused on my rehabilitation. But of course you also go to some stadiums and watch games. I’m glad that spectators can go back to the stadiums.

Albutat on KFC Uerdingen’s license withdrawal: “It was a shock for us as a team”

Transfer market: Their former clubs have drawn attention to themselves in different ways. KFC Uerdingen is finally allowed to play at home in the Grotenburg again, but only in the Oberliga, since the restart in the Regionalliga finally ended with relegation. What do you think about it?

Albutate: I think that the crux of the matter was unfortunately the withdrawal of the license. It was also a shock for us as a team. We did everything we could to stay up in the third division under the difficult conditions. It hurts that the entire club broke up after that and will then play in the fifth division next year. Because we gave everything in terms of sport.

Transfer market: They had witnessed the confusion in the last season. Do you think that the KFC can be expected again soon?

Albutate: I very much hope that KFC will manage to get promoted again and then step by step prepare themselves well to get back into professional football.

Transfer market: MSV Duisburg is still fighting for relegation after things didn’t look too good in the meantime (to the table of the 3rd league). How do you see the chances and general possibilities of the club in the coming years?

Albutate: I think the opportunities are enormous in Duisburg. They have a great training ground, a fantastic stadium with great fans. Unfortunately, I don’t know why things haven’t been going so well in recent years. But here, too, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for staying up in the league so that I can be more successful again next season.

Transfer market: SC Freiburg, on the other hand, only writes positive headlines. International business in prospect, new stadium, DFB Cup final reached. How enthusiastic are you about the team around coach Christian Streich?

Albutate: It’s just unbelievable that they’re in the DFB Cup final now. In 2011 I was in the DFB Cup final with Christian Streich and that was great for a club like Freiburg. There are just a lot of great people working in the club and they have managed to keep raising the level.

My game from the start in the Europa League in Seville was extraordinary.

Transfer market: Where do you ideally see yourself in three years?

Albutate: First of all, hopefully staying healthy with a great family. And then it would be nice to still be in professional football. Lastly, with a completed master’s degree in sports management.

Transfer market: What do you do when you’re not on the pitch?

Albutate: I take our dog for walks a lot and I’m still studying.

Transfer market: Please tell us about an experience from your sporting life.

Albutate: My game from the start in the Europa League in Seville was extraordinary. Being in the first XI there, in this stadium, is an experience that I will never forget and which is why I will always be grateful to those responsible at SC Freiburg for giving me this chance back then.

Interview: Sven Bauer (lap dog)

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