Before the first match of the season against 1. FC Saarbrücken in the 3rd league, SC Verl has strengthened itself with Regionalliga experience – two contracts have been terminated.

Shortly before the season opener in the 3rd league, SC Verl has made some personnel changes. Already during the week, the sports club announced the termination of one contract, and on Friday another one was added. In addition, a new player was introduced.
Nick Otto joins from SSV Jeddeloh II in the Regionalliga Nord. The 23-year-old went through the entire youth system at VfL Wolfsburg before moving to Eintracht Braunschweig in 2018 for his first stop at senior level. His twin brother Yari is still under contract with the Lower Saxons.

The centre-back initially went on loan to FC St. Pauli II and Jeddeloh II, who subsequently signed him on a free transfer. “Nick has already been training with us for a while and also took part in a large part of the preparation,” Sebastian Lange, sporting director, is pleased about the signing of the former youth international (one game U17, three games U18). “He has presented himself very well in training and the test matches. We are happy to have in him another option in the defence for the start of the season.”

SC coach Mitch Kniat has thus got a direct replacement for Steffen Schäfer. The contract with the 28-year-old was terminated by mutual agreement. The centre-back, who was signed from VVV-Venlo before last season, played 15 games for Verl and scored one goal.

“Steffen helped us last season with his experience both on and off the pitch and always put himself at the service of the team,” said Lange, thanking Schäfer for his services.

Serhat Koruk’s contract, which was supposed to run until the summer of 2023, was terminated during the week. The 26-year-old centre-forward only joined Sportclub in January of this year on a free transfer from SV Meppen.

In the second half of the 3rd division, however, it was only enough for seven short appearances with a total of 78 minutes. “For his further development, Serhat needs appearances, which we cannot guarantee him in view of the strong competition on the offensive positions with us,” Lange is quoted as saying on the club’s website.

SC Verl’s season begins on Saturday (23 July) with an away match at 1. FC Saarbrücken. Kick-off is at 2 p.m.