After the 2-3 defeat at Rot-Weiss Essen, SSV Ulm 1846 goes into the winter break in third-last place in the third division. A new man is expected to remedy the situation.

Two goals weren’t enough: SSV Ulm 1846 is once again in acute danger of relegation after its recent 2-3 defeat at Rot-Weiss Essen. The Spatzen are in 18th place in the third division and could find themselves back in the regional league just as quickly as they rose from it.

Just before Christmas, SSV has now strengthened its central defense. Niko Vukancic comes from being without a club and will reinforce the Spatzen in central defense. The 23-year-old has signed with the Danube club until June 30, 2027.

“With Niko, we are getting a robust center back who should help stabilize our defense. The quality he brings with him are good prerequisites, even if he has played little recently. He knows the league and our coach, which will help him find his feet quickly,” said Ulm’s managing director Stephan Schwarz.

The center back was trained in the youth academies of Hannover 96 and VfL Wolfsburg. He then played for HSC Hannover and Fortuna Düsseldorf II before moving to FC Erzgebirge Aue. Most recently, he was under contract with MFK Skalica in Slovakia, and he had been without a club since September.

Niko Vukancic brings with him experience from 42 games in the 3rd division and 45 regional league games to the Danube. He played once in the 2nd Bundesliga. At SSV Ulm 1846, Niko Vukancic will wear the number three jersey.

“I would like to thank the club for their trust and I am very happy to be in Ulm now. Together with the team, I want to give my all to help the club stay in the league. I am very excited to take on this challenge at a traditional club,” said the defender himself, commenting on his new role.

And it is an enormous one. The gap to safety, namely FC Ergebirge Aue (22 points), is currently six points. After the winter break, the Spatzen will face SV Wehen Wiesbaden on Saturday, January 17, at 2 p.m.