Two goalkeepers had the same plan for this summer’s transfer window. They wanted to move abroad. But shortly before Deadline Day, it looks as though both may have badly miscalculated.
Both Noah Atubolu and Florian Kastenmeier wanted to take their careers in a new direction, away from Germany. But right now, things look very different for both. While the Freiburg man is now staying in the Bundesliga after all, time is running out for the former Düsseldorf keeper.
Atubolu has a new club, just not the one he expected. The 24-year-old wanted to move to the Premier League this summer. He had informed the club officials of that. For that reason, Freiburg went looking for a replacement. Mio Backhaus arrived from Bremen and is also between the posts this Sunday against his former club.
Atubolu, meanwhile, was left in limbo because no club from England made an approach. That was likely the reason why he is also said to have parted ways with his agency in the end. Several outlets have reported this, including 'Kicker'. He had only joined them at the start of the year.
Now the Germany youth international has moved to Eintracht Frankfurt on loan. Since a permanent transfer was reportedly too expensive for the club from Hesse, he will initially join on loan. According to 'Sky', however, there is said to be an obligation to buy for 13 million euros. In their press release, Frankfurt describe it as a loan with an option to buy that turns into an obligation to buy under certain conditions.
At SGE, Atubolu is likely to become the number one straight away. He was already in goal in the 3-3 opening draw against Union Berlin. Frankfurt are apparently unhappy with Kauã Santos, while Zetterer officially moved to Leeds United in England last night.
For Atubolu, though, the Premier League remains a long way off for now. But he seems happy with his move. At least that is what his words at his unveiling suggest: "I know the city, the club and the stadium, and I have always experienced games here as something special. I’m really looking forward to the new challenge."
He may miss out on Conference League matches because of the move, which Freiburg have qualified for, but with Eintracht he can push for the international places in the Bundesliga as well as go for a run in the DFB-Pokal.
It was in that very cup that both clubs recently enjoyed a successful start: while Frankfurt swept SpVgg St. Tönis aside 11-0, Freiburg won 5-1 away at Fortuna Düsseldorf.
And it is at the relegated third-division club from the Rhineland that the trail leads to this summer’s second unlucky figure. Because after seven years with the Red-Whites, Florian Kastenmeier also wanted to seek a new challenge.
Like Atubolu, the 29-year-old is said to dream of a move abroad. "I have set goals for my career that I want to achieve. Ideally with Fortuna. But recently those goals have moved a long way out of reach, and I am at an age where I have to take the next step in order to continue on my personal path," the keeper said in an emotional statement. The fans did not hold the wish against the club legend.
Since then, however, things have gone quiet around him. According to media reports, he may have overplayed his hand because he is being too picky. He is said to have already turned down several clubs such as Hertha BSC and Hannover 96. That is according to 'Kicker'. Werder Bremen also apparently wanted him as their new number two.
But he seems to have bigger goals. At the end of July, a report by the 'Berliner Kurier' said that Serie A club Como were interested. However, he would "only" be the number two there as well. On the other hand, he would at least have the chance to get a small taste of the Champions League. Even if only from the bench.
Time is running out. While Atubolu has found his new club, Kastenmeier can no longer afford to be too picky before Deadline Day expires. In the end, it has been a turbulent summer for both, and for one of them the outcome is still uncertain. Whether it will really have a happy ending for them will be shown not only in the coming days, but above all in the months ahead.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
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