Dynamo Dresden is gearing up for a comeback in the second division. A returning player and a Bundesliga player are expected to stabilize the defense. They are joined by a player on loan from Freiburg.
With just 13 points from 17 games, Dynamo Dresden is gearing up for a comeback in the second division. But the team at the bottom of the table has a major problem: its defense.
34 goals conceded is too many. Jonas Sterner and Thomas Keller are now expected to remedy the situation.
Sterner already knows Dresden very well, having played a key role in the promotion in May 2025 as a regular starter at left back. “I’ve always emphasized that I felt very at home in Dresden. Last season, when we were promoted together, left a lasting impression. I’m all the more delighted that we can now fight together again for Dynamo’s success,” said Sterner, who is joining on loan from Hannover 96.
So he’s back in Dresden until the end of the season. “We’re pleased that the plan, which was already in place this summer, has now come to fruition and Jonas is back on our team. He knows the city, the club, and the team from last season and can therefore quickly find his footing again. We are aware of his qualities and hope to integrate him back into the team quickly,” said his new coach Thomas Stamm.
After playing for the youth teams at Rödemisser SV and SG Hattstedt/Arlewatt, the 1.81-meter-tall winger joined the youth ranks at KSV Holstein. With the Storks, Sterner later made the leap to the professional squad and played 36 games in the 2. Bundesliga. In the 2024/25 season, Sterner was already on loan to the Black and Yellows and played a major role in the promotion to the 2. Bundesliga, appearing in 32 games in the 3. Liga, where he scored two goals and set up eight more.
Keller is also joining on loan—from first-division club 1. FC Heidenheim. “With Thomas, we have added a robust and physically strong player to our defensive line. He brings us experience from playing in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Conference League, and with his character and style of play, he will be a reinforcement for our defense in the second half of the season,” said Sören Gonther, SGD’s sporting director.
After coming up through the youth ranks at SpVgg Unterhaching and FC Ingolstadt 04, Keller made the leap to the professional ranks with the Schanzern. In the summer of 2022, the 1.86-meter-tall center back joined 1. FC Heidenheim. In total, Keller has appeared in twelve Bundesliga and 26 second-division matches so far. In addition, he played two matches in the UEFA Conference League, scoring one goal in the process.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge in Dresden. I hope I can do my part to help our team achieve its goals. Dynamo Dresden belongs in the 2. Bundesliga, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure that remains the case in the new season,” he said regarding his new role in Dresden.
Robert Wagner is joining on loan from SC Freiburg to bolster the attack. The 22-year-old midfielder played for second-division rival Holstein Kiel in the first half of the season. The loan has now been terminated early, allowing Wagner to play for the Black and Yellows in the second half of the season.
“The opportunity in Dresden is very appealing to me. Together, we want to ensure that this club stays in the league with its momentum. To do that, we’ll have to work hard in the coming weeks. Now I’m looking forward to seeing a few familiar faces again and then tackling the challenges with the team,” said Wagner.
Wagner was born on July 14, 2003, in Lahr. After playing for the youth teams at SC Lahr, Wagner moved to the SC Freiburg youth academy, where he made the leap to the first team via the reserve squad. In recent seasons, the 1.81-meter-tall central midfielder was loaned to SpVgg Greuther Fürth, FC St. Pauli, and Holstein Kiel. The 22-year-old has so far played 16 games in the Bundesliga and 45 matches in the 2. Bundesliga, among others.