MSV Duisburg announced on Friday that four players, including captain Moritz Stoppelkamp, will leave the Zebras at the end of the season. Talks have been held with possible additions.
Four out of eight personnel matters are clear: This is how one could briefly summarise the current state of the contract situation at MSV Duisburg.
After the departures of Moritz Stoppelkamp, Marvin Ajani, Leroy Kwadwo and Aziz Bouhaddouz, all of whom will not be receiving new offers, there are still question marks over the future and expiring contracts of Marlon Frey, Kolja Pusch, Lukas Raeder and Benjamin Girth.
At least for striker Girth, the signs point to departure. TSV 1860 München has already signalled interest. Pusch has recently been linked with Wuppertaler SV and also Regionalliga West newcomers Sport- und Spielvereinigung Velbert.
“We are in talks there. No final decision has been made yet. It’s not yet time to say goodbye to the boys,” explains coach Torsten Ziegner.
Further departures could be added – regardless of the contract situation of the four professionals mentioned. Ziegner reveals: “There are players who are under contract with us but whose contracts we want to terminate. The boys need playing practice. We are trying to find a solution that is fair for everyone. We are also in talks about this.”
It is clear that MSV wants and needs to free up space for new arrivals, but above all money for potential reinforcements. There have already been talks with potential new MSV professionals. But the players are hesitant. There is still a long way to go before they can sign.
Ziegner: “There are already guys who would do us a lot of good and who are also willing to come to Duisburg. What is still outstanding is the question of how we can finance them. That is an issue that is currently making life difficult for us. I hope that the boys will be patient enough to get an offer on paper that is ready to be signed. But that won’t be the case in the next day or two.”
The contract situation at MSV Duisburg at a glance:
Expiring contracts (4): Lukas Raeder, Marlon Frey, Kolja Pusch, Benjamin Girth.
Longer contracts:
Until 2024 (18): Vincent Müller, Maximilian Braune, Sebastian Mai, Marvin Senger, Vincent Gembalies, Baran Mogultay, Niklas Kölle, Rolf, Feltscher, Marvin Bakalorz, Marvin Knoll, Niclas Stierlin, Jonas Meichelbrink, Caspar Jander, Alaa Bakir, Julian Hettwer, Chinedu Ekene, Philipp König, Joshua Bitter
Until 2025 (2): Tobias Fleckstein, Hamza Anhari
Additions: Santiago Castaneda (Tampa Bay Rowdies)
Departures: Moritz Stoppelkamp, Aziz Bouhaddouz, Marvin Ajani, Leroy Kwadwo (all destination unknown)