Handball Bundesliga team TSV Hannover-Burgdorf has secured the services of national goalkeeper Joel Birlehm. The 26-year-old is moving from league rivals Rhein-Neckar Löwen to the “Recken” next season.
As the Lower Saxony club announced on Thursday afternoon, the Herford-born goalkeeper signed a three-year contract. At TSV, Birlehm will follow in the footsteps of Dario Quenstedt, whose working paper, which expires in the summer, will not be extended.
“We have been watching Joel for a long time and have been interested in signing him in the past. However, the timing was never right for both sides. This time we managed to recognize the opportunity early on and we are pleased that it has now worked out,” said Sven-Sören Christophersen, sporting director for the European Cup participants.
Fifth professional station for National goalkeeper
For Birlehm, the “Recken” will be the fifth stop in his professional career. Before moving to the Rhein-Neckar Löwen in 2022, the national goalkeeper was in charge of GDW Minden, TuS N-Lübbecke and SC DHfK Leipzig. “I’m really looking forward to being part of the “Recken” family from the summer onwards. The many good conversations with those responsible have given me the feeling that I can take the next step in my career with the “Recken”, said the 26 year old.
The contract in Mannheim will be terminated early
Birlehm’s contract with the Rhein-Neckar Löwen was originally dated until 2025. It has now been decided to terminate the contract early on June 30th next year. “As unfortunate as it is, I can very well understand that Joel is not finding what he wants in the current situation. We would have preferred to go into the future with all three goalkeepers. We would have imagined a long-term future together with Joel “We can, but unfortunately the constellation wasn’t right at the moment,” explained Löwen managing director Jennifer Kettemann.
Difficult farewell to lions: “A huge dream has burst”
At Mannheim, Birlehm has strong competition in Mikael Appelgren and David Späth. So far this season, the soon-to-be Hanoverian has made 17 appearances, in which he only spent around five hours between the posts. “My goal was to hang under the roof of the hall with my jersey at the end of my Lions time, to have celebrated successes and to have settled down with my wonderful family. But I also understand that sport cannot be planned. However, I have to admit “That a huge dream has shattered for me,” Birlehm is quoted as saying in his current club’s press release.
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NDR 2 Sport | 12/28/2023 | 11:03 p.m
