At one time, defender Albin Thaqi was one of Borussia Dortmund’s diamonds in the rough. Now the 20-year-old wants to get back on track at Oberliga leaders TuS Bövinghausen.

TuS Bövinghausen has already made big waves with one or two big-name player signings. This was also the case in late summer when the transfer of former BVB defender Albin Thaqi was announced.

The 20-year-old was once considered a player of the future at the Revierklub, passing through the U17 and U19 teams and gaining senior experience in the second team of the Black and Yellows. Most recently, he played for Fortuna Cologne, but did not receive a new contract after one half-year.

After weeks without a club, the move to the Oberliga Westfalen finally followed. “The talks were great. I watched a few games before signing and immediately realised that it was above Oberliga level. The coach has cool tactics that he lets play. Being able to stay in my hometown and having a chance of promotion with the club was also decisive. The move to Bövinghausen was a good decision,” Thaqi told

Thaqi needed time to get back into the swing of things

Under his new coach Sebastian Tyrala, the defensive man recently played his first game for the full duration. Nevertheless, the coach is taking him slowly: “Albin needed three or four weeks in training. He has to be a bit patient. With Morre (Maurice Rene Haar, editor’s note) and Dino Dzaferoski, we have a well-rehearsed centre-back duo. But he is getting into the flow better and better.”

Thaqi had “not played a real game for a long time” and considers the approach to be “exactly the right procedure”. After around seven weeks of team training, the defender now feels fit again and is “back in rhythm”.

Ex-professional Tyrala appreciates his strengths: “Albin stands out in duels and is good in build-up play. Maybe he’s not the greatest, but he makes up for that with his eye. He has everything a centre-back needs. I’m happy to have him in the squad. “

Training at top clubs leaves its mark

Thaqi received first-class training in the talent workshops of Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04. Tyrala sees a high level of tactical understanding and enormous potential in his defender: “Many of our players have not enjoyed the training he can look back on. He solves situations with an extraordinary calmness. When he gets a ball under pressure, he doesn’t get nervous. That’s what you learn at these top clubs. He’s not finished in the top division by a long shot. He will help us a lot this season. “