It’s been clear since last weekend: Holstein Kiel can plan for the Bundesliga. The Storks hope to be able to rely on Borussia Dortmund’s Tom Rothe for another year.

The loan of Borussia Dortmund’s Tom Rothe to Holstein Kiel was a complete success for all matches. The 19-year-old full-back gained plenty of match practice at a high level and helped the Storks to promotion to the Bundesliga. If the still second-division club has its way, the talented youngster will reap the rewards of Kiel’s surprising season next year and play for Holstein in the top flight.

“Tom has developed really well with us and we would like to continue on this path with him,” explained sporting director Carsten Wehlmann to the Kieler Nachrichten newspaper on Monday. “But that depends on several parties.”

The Germany youth international has only missed one game so far this season due to a yellow card and has been on the pitch for the remaining 32 second division matches. He has started 29 times on the left wing and contributed three goals and nine assists to the team’s promotion. He also made two appearances over the full distance in the DFB Cup.

Captain Sander will leave

Should the loan not be extended, Rothe’s departure would be the second major gap in Kiel’s promotion squad.

The departure of captain Philipp Sander is said to have already been finalized. The central midfielder is on the verge of a move to Borussia Mönchengladbach. This season, he has only played 25 times in the league and once in the cup due to injury. Like Rothe, he scored three goals and assisted six times.

In addition, although former Dortmund player Colin Kleine-Bekel is not leaving the club, he will not be available for a few more months. The central defender played 24 of the first 26 second division games of the season from the start, but then suffered a cruciate ligament injury. A replacement may also be needed for him