Hannover 96 have announced the surprise signing of Freiburg’s veteran midfielder Mike Frantz.
In all the column inches on Hannover’s transfer business in recent weeks, Frantz’s name was conspicuously absent, making the club’s announcement on Wednesday, hot on the heels of a double signing 24 hours earlier, all the more surprising.
The former Freiburg captain leaves the Schwarzwald after six years, having made 162 appearances under Christian Streich, although his role on the pitch had gradually reduced and he made just 18 appearances, mostly from the bench, last season.
Nevertheless, his experience will help to strengthen Hannover’s midfield as Kenan Kocak adjusts his team for next season, especially if Stuttgart are successful in their attempts to lure Waldemar Anton away.
Sporting director Gerhard Zuber describes Frantz as “a seasoned professional” who will “ensure stability in our team with all his experience even in critical situations.” Kocak meanwhile thinks he is “a very strong player.”
Frantz admits he is leaving “a great club” in Freiburg but he felt it was time for a change. “I’m really up for the task here,” he adds, and hopes that he can add a third promotion from this league to his CV, having previously gone up with Freiburg in 2016 and Nürnberg in 2009.
He has signed a two-year contract at the HDI-Arena, with his arrival following those of Franck Evina and Valmir Sulejmani on Tuesday.
Header image source: Hannover 96.
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