The squad planning at SV Waldhof Mannheim continues to progress during the preparation for the season in the 3rd division. One new arrival comes from relegated SV Meppen.

New signing number eight for Waldhof Mannheim. The third division club has signed Samuel Abifade for the offensive wing. Last season, the 23-year-old played for SV Meppen and remains in the 3. Liga after their relegation.

In a season plagued by injuries, he played 23 games for SVW and was in the starting eleven 14 times. Curious: Abifade scored his only three goals of the season in one match – against his current new employer.

He trained in his hometown with Eintracht Braunschweig. He made eleven appearances for the second team in the Oberliga Niedersachsen before moving to VfL Wolfsburg. He also played for the Wolves’ second team and made eleven appearances in the Regionalliga Nord.

Within the league, Abifade moved to VfB Lübeck in 2021. There, the offensive player experienced his most successful senior season to date (19 games, three goals, three assists). Last season, he ventured into the 3rd division with SV Meppen. His contract ended after this season. “Samuel is a player with very good speed, coupled with good offensive 1-on-1 and with distinct physical attributes,” Tim Schork, managing director of sport at Waldhof, is quoted as saying in the press release. “He is also not yet at the end of his development and we still see room for development in him for the future.”

The three goals against Mannheim have left a lasting impression. “We hope to see his finishing strength, which he demonstrated in the game against us, more often in the future. We’re happy to integrate Samuel into our squad now, so he can spend a lot of the summer preparation with the team.”

Abifade himself wanted to thank the Mannheim officials first and foremost. “I had talks with both Tim Schork and Rüdiger Rehm, which ultimately convinced me to move to the Kurpfalz.” Rehm succeeded Christian Neidhart as Waldhof coach in the summer.

“The prospect of playing in front of this unique backdrop at Carl-Benz Stadium also excites me a lot. Now it’s a case of getting stuck in and integrating myself into the team with good performances in training. “