Arminia Bielefeld is carrying out a rigorous personnel change after the double relegation. So far, five additions have been presented, players number five and six are on the way.

Arminia Bielefeld is tinkering with its third-league squad after relegation. Sporting director Michael Mutzel first signed coach Mitch Kniat from SC Verl.

Then came Semi Belkahia (TSV 1860 Munich), Sam Schreck (Erzgebirge Aue) and Louis Oppie (Hannover 96) as well as Can Özkan (Borussia Dortmund II), the first four new arrivals. They are joined by Fabian Klos and Christopher Schepp. The two strikers are the only players remaining from last year’s squad. So the current squad size is six players. Still a lot of work before the start of training on 28 June for the Mutzel/Kniat duo.

But the Arminia officials are busy. Forecasting has learned that additions six and seven are already on their way to the Bielefeld Alm.

According to our information, offensive player Merveille Biankadi (1. FC Heidenheim) and defensive midfielder Tom Geerkens (Fortuna Düsseldorf II) will soon sign work contracts with Arminia.

The 28-year-old Biankadi has made 143 appearances in the 3rd division in his career. He has also scored 25 goals and set up 26 others. Last season, however, he did not play at all for Heidenheim. Previously, he was under contract with clubs such as TSV 1860 München, Eintracht Braunschweig, FC Augsburg, Hansa Rostock, Rot-Weiß Erfurt and SV Elversberg.

Geerkens also gets a taste of second division life in Düsseldorf

The 22-year-old Geerkens was trained at Alemannia Aachen and moved from FC Wegberg-Beeck to the U23 team of Fortuna Düsseldorf in the summer of 2021. He was captain of coach Nico Michaty’s team in the last Regionalliga West season. Geerkens made 17 appearances and also made three short appearances in the 2nd Bundesliga. In total, the 1.85-metre man can look back on 76 regional league games (two goals, six assists). From 1 July onwards, he will probably play in the third division for Arminia Bielefeld.