Sportfreunde Siegen are continuing to work on their squad for the 2024/25 season. Two more players have extended their contracts with the Oberliga club by a year.

Just one day after the acclaimed last-minute win in Sprockhövel, Sportfreunde Siegen already have another reason to celebrate. Two more players have signed for the 2024/25 season: Lars Schardt and Rikuhei Nabesaka, who arrived together from TuS Erndtebrück last summer, will remain with Thorsten Nehrbauer and his team.

Attacker Schardt came to Siegen with the credentials of 21 goals in 63 games for Erndtebrück, but initially struggled there. The 27-year-old only managed one goal in the first half of the year, but has now arrived. In eleven appearances in the new year, he scored five times and not only secured himself a regular place, but also helped Siegen to an impressive run. They were only beaten by Preußen Münster II (2:3) in 2024.

Schardt’s extension was Nehrbauer’s “express wish”

“After a few teething problems, I now feel very comfortable at the club, in the team and with the coaching team. The games, especially those in the second half of the season, make me want more with our fans behind me,” said Schardt, looking back on the past few weeks.

Meanwhile, his coach emphasized: “It was my express wish for Lars to stay in Siegen. I see a lot of potential in him. He’s had a lot of bad luck recently with injuries and refereeing decisions, but you could see what he’s made of in the last few games.” Nehrbauer was alluding to a controversial sending-off against Ennepetal and the resulting three-match ban, as well as a shoulder joint injury

We can be happy to have a very good player in him, but also a very great person in the squad

Thorsten Nehrbauer on Rikuhei Nabesaka

The 24-year-old Nabesaka is also a regular under Nehrbauer and has appeared in 25 of 27 games (20 starting eleven appearances). The right-back has yet to score a goal of his own, but he has nevertheless impressed. “We’re really happy that we were able to keep Riku, that he’s taking the path and developing like this. He is an absolute top player. We can be happy to have a very good player in our squad, but also a very great person,” said a delighted Coach Nehrbauer about the extension.

While the planning for 2024/25 continues, the Siegen side’s first priority is to continue their impressive run of seven games without defeat. Next Sunday (3 p.m.), they will face the only club so far to have beaten Sportfreunde in 2024: SC Preußen Münster II will be the guests at the Leimbachstadion.