1. FC Heidenheim has found a successor for Tim Kleindienst, who moved to Mönchengladbach. Mikkel Kaufmann comes from Union Berlin.
New face at 1. FC Heidenheim: Mikkel Kaufmann. IMAGO/Beautiful Sports
As a newcomer to the Bundesliga, 1. FC Heidenheim had a more than carefree season. Thanks to a 4:1 victory against 1. FC Cologne on matchday 34, the promoted team even qualified for European competition in its debut season – FCH will take part in the play-offs for the Conference League as eighth place.
In addition to winger Jan-Niklas Beste (eight goals, 13 assists), the two strikers Eren Dinkci (ten goals, six assists) and Tim Kleindienst (twelve goals, five assists) played a major role in Heidenheim’s success. As expected, the former said goodbye to SC Freiburg after his loan from SV Werder Bremen, and last week Kleindienst also made use of his exit clause and moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Heidenheim already showed interest in 2023
FCH presented Sirlord Conteh early on as Dinkci’s successor – and a replacement for Kleindienst was also quickly found: Mikkel Kaufmann, who has played for 1. FC Union Berlin since summer 2023, is strengthening the Bundesliga club and has signed a contract until summer 2028.
“We would have liked to have signed him last year and now, following Tim Kleindienst’s move, we have intensified talks with Mikkel,” explains FCH CEO Holger Sanwald. “We are all the more pleased that we have now managed to sign him.”
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Sanwald describes Heidenheim’s seventh new signing as a striker “who constantly runs at the opponent and presses them.” “With this style of play, he fits in perfectly with us.”
Experience in the Europa League
Kaufmann, who before his time in Heidenheim made 56 appearances (12 goals) in the 2. Bundesliga for Karlsruher SC and Hamburger SV and scored one goal in 18 Bundesliga games for Köpenicker, brings with him the experience of five appearances in the Europa League.
The 23-year-old Dane, who completed his training in Aalborg and at FC Copenhagen, was “impressed” by Heidenheim’s sporting development last season. “I now definitely want to do my part to ensure that we stay in the league in the new season.”
2024-06-28 12:39:45
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