Tim Skarke was traded to FC Schalke 04 and also VfL Bochum this summer. Now the winger is leaving Union Berlin in a different direction.

There has been speculation about Tim Skarke’s future for almost the entire summer. Will the 26-year-old move to FC Schalke 04 again? To VfL Bochum? Will he stay with Union Berlin? Or is there perhaps another option for the winger?

The answer came this Thursday, one day before the transfer deadline. Skarke will not be coming to the Ruhr region, but will be playing for his former club SV Darmstadt 98. The Bundesliga promoted club has loaned Skarke out until the end of this season. What had already been foreshadowed became official in the early evening.

Skarke fits the requirement profile perfectly, as he can be used in different positions and does not need a long start-up period, explained Darmstadt’s sporting director Carsten Wehlmann. “He totally identifies with the task here in Darmstadt and knows the environment. In the second half of the season at Schalke 04, Tim also proved that he can play a good role in the Bundesliga. All of these factors have led to Tim wearing the lily on his chest once again. “

Skarke was already under contract at Darmstadt from 2019 to 2022. With his performances, he aroused the interest of Union Berlin. However, he hardly made an appearance there in the first half of the past season. In the winter, he joined FC Schalke 04 on loan and played nine games for the Königsblauen.

In the meantime, Skarke was absent due to injury. His most striking appearance came in the spectacular 5:2 win against Hertha BSC with a goal and an assist. Schalker were reportedly interested in signing the Heidenheim-born player again. VfL Bochum were also interested in the player.

But now Skarke is drawn back to Darmstadt. “It feels good to be able to play for the Lilien again. Many familiar faces are still working at the club, and contact with some of the players in the squad has never broken off,” he is quoted as saying in a statement about his move. “I feel a huge motivation inside me to challenge the other Bundesliga teams together with the team and to manage to stay in the league at the end of the season.