Via Instagram, Kai Pröger has bid farewell to his previous employer Hansa Rostock, complaining that there had been no talks up to this point.

Forcasting had already reported the previous week that Kai Pröger, an old acquaintance, had visited Hafenstraße and met with squad planner Marcus Steegmann for talks. His advisor Sören Seidel confirmed this.

The now 32-year-old attacker played for RWE between June 2017 and January 2019 before joining SC Paderborn, from where he found his way to Hansa Rostock in 2022. Back then, he scored 18 goals and made eight assists in 60 appearances for the Essen club.

“Everyone knows that RWE has a special significance for Kai. He was a crowd favorite in Essen and always felt right at home. Only the league didn’t suit him back then,” explained consultant Seidel. That may have changed now, however, as RWE now play in the third division and his previous employers from Rostock were also relegated to the third division despite Pröger’s six goals.

In a post on Instagram on Monday afternoon, the attacker announced that he would not be continuing in Rostock after his contract expires on June 30. He also expressed his disappointment at the manner of his departure:

Since no talks have taken place to date, the time has now come for me to say goodbye.

Kai Pröger

“As no talks have taken place to date, the time has now come for me to say goodbye,” he explained and then gratefully addressed the “Hansa family”. “First and foremost, I would like to thank the fans for the incredible support and unconditional love you have shown for the club and I am proud to have been able to experience this! I have always felt very comfortable and extremely appreciated.”

In his two years at the Kogge, he has taken Hansa to his heart “and experienced many great moments that will last forever. It hurts that we couldn’t give you another chance to stay in the league and I’m now keeping my fingers crossed for a direct promotion.” He also thanked those responsible, coaches and teammates for an “eventful time”.

This would be the first step towards a return to Essen. According to information from RS, there has been an intensive exchange between those responsible at RWE and Pröger over the last few days. A decision has reportedly not yet been made – but: Pröger is said to be leaning towards a move back to Essen.