Transfer news: Meppen set to stay in league, hello this summer at VfL

Bundesliga clubs have until January 31 to prepare their teams for the second half of the season. Some big names have already gone public in recent weeks, other clubs have recently been active in the market again.

While league leaders Wolfsburg currently remain transfer-apart for this season, true to the motto ‘Never change a winning team’, the club have already made arrangements for next season. The Bundesliga starts again in a week.


For 2023/24: Wolfsburg bring Chantal Hagel from Hoffenheim

Wolfsburg seem happy with the current squad for this season, there have been no changes for the second half of the season. The first change for the upcoming season has already been announced. Six-time German national player Chantal Hagel is leaving TSG Hoffenheim for Wolves on a free transfer this summer.

The 24-year-old midfielder has made a total of 68 appearances in the FLYERALARM Women’s Bundesliga, ten times in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and eight times in the DFB Cup.

« An exciting challenge awaits me with one of the best teams in European women’s (Site notre bureau spécialisé). I am very happy to bring my strength to achieve the goals of the association. After my seven years at Hoffenheim, during which I been able to develop both as a sport and as a person, I see the move for the upcoming season as the next step in my career,” Hagel says of his move.

Meppen with a strong signing and an extension from the captain

A lot has happened this week at promoted SV Meppen. Among other things, the Finnish Milla Punsar was newly engaged. The 26-year-old forward comes from four-time Finnish champions FC Honka Espoo and should help with the mission to stay put. Among other things, the newcomer impressed in friendlies against Twente Enschede and SC Heerenveen and scored a total of three goals.

The second piece of good news is the contract extension with captain Sarah Schulte. The future 27-year-old sports science doctoral student will stay at SV Meppen for another two years. The then 16-year-old joined the club in 2011 and has played 265 competitive games since then.

Head coach Carin Bakhuis knows her qualities: « Sarah is a very important part of our game and the team organization off the pitch as well. I am very happy that we continue to work together beyond season, » says Bakhuis. She successfully turned Schulte into a centre-back before this season.

On the other hand, Elena Aristodemou will leave SV Meppen. The 20-year-old Cypriot only joined the team at the start of the season but hasn’t played any competitive matches so far. Now it has been agreed to terminate the contract.

SC Freiburg: Karl du cru extended

Lisa Karl has been a defender at SC Freiburg since 2012 and that won’t change for now. The 25-year-old has extended her contract with the sports club. For how long, the club has not commented publicly. Since the U17s, Karl has worked his way into the Bundesliga side and is now a top player there. « I’m very grateful to the club for continuing to trust me in the future. Even after eleven years at the sports club, I don’t feel like I’m standing still, » she said.

Mia Büchele is no longer on the field of SC Freiburg. The 19-year-old is on loan at FC Basel and will play in Switzerland until the end of the season. Büchele will then – from now on – return to Freiburg.

Turbine strengthens defense, Bayer keeps young talents

Paige Culver will join 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam as a reinforcement for the second half of the season. The 25-year-old Canadian last played for IFK Kalmar in Sweden and has already gained experience in Italy and France. The defender is expected to help the relegation-threatened side until the end of the season.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen kid Estrella Merino Gonzales extended his contract for two years this week. The attacking midfielder has been playing for Leverkusen since 2016 and has come through every youth team from U13 to U17. Last season, she contributed to the Bundesliga B-Junior West/Südwest runners-up title with her 20 goals, and she has already scored eight times in five Bundesliga appearances.

International: Schult will not return

The open transfer window is also still used internationally. Icelandic international Gunnhildur Jónsdóttir, for example, returns to her native country after Orlando Pride in the NWSL. Goaltender Sophie Lindner is also brought home. She returns from the United States to Austria at FK Austria Wien.

Incidentally, Almuth Schult initially ruled out this possibility. « At the moment I see no reason to play in Germany again, » she told dpa. Schult is currently without a club after a brief stint with Angel City FC last year.