In January 2020, Jesse Tugbenyo experienced the hardest day of his life to date. He suffered a broken neck in a test match. He will be looking for a new club next season.

Jesse Tugbenyo is 22 years old and has been under contract with SC Paderborn since the summer of 2018. From July 1, 2024, he will be without a club for the first time and open to a new challenge.

The central midfielder also knows that it will not be easy to find a club in the 3rd division, which Tugbenyo is aiming for. “Maybe I’ll have to go through the regional league,” said Tugbenyo, who has made one appearance in the second division, 17 in the third division, 19 in the regional league and 41 in the top division in his career.

It was January 2020 that put the brakes on the 1.87-meter tall model athlete’s stellar career to date. In a test match for Paderborn U21, Tugbenyo suffered a broken neck after an unfortunate fall onto the pitch.

“I can still remember that I tried to pull inside in the penalty area and fell down. When I heard later what I had suffered, a lot of things went through my mind. For me, the word ‘broken neck’ was synonymous with death. It was a very difficult time and I wore a neck brace for four months,” recalls Tugbenyo in an interview with Forecasting.

I know what I can do. I also know that some sports bosses have reservations. But I can only ever emphasize that the doctors have given me the green light and there are no concerns. Everything fits perfectly, the bone has grown together. I’m just waiting for an opportunity now, which I will definitely take.

Jesse Tugbenyo

However, he gradually fought his way back onto the pitch through various rehabilitation measures, then played Oberliga matches for Paderborn, was loaned out to SC Verl and made 17 third division appearances (one goal and eight assists) in the 2022/2023 season. This was followed by another setback.

“The screws came loose and I had to go under the knife again. But everything is fine now. I’ve been rebuilding for two months and have been back in team training for a week now and everything feels great. I’m in top shape and full of energy,” emphasized Tugbenyo, who hasn’t played a single minute in the current 2023/2024 season. “Maybe I’ll get a few more minutes,” he hopes.

If not in Paderborn, then somewhere else in the 2024/2025 season at the latest. Tugbenyo, who is still subject to the U23 rule in the new season, says: “I know what I can do. I also know that some sports directors have concerns. But I can only ever emphasize that the doctors have given me the green light and there are no concerns. Everything fits perfectly, the bone has grown together. I’m just waiting for an opportunity now, which I will definitely take. There have also been initial contacts with third division clubs. I’m not too bad for a trial training session either.”

Finally, the Warstein native wanted to say one more important thing: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family, friends, advisors and teammates once again for their great support during this difficult time!”