Holstein Kiel have signed attacker Fin Bartels, who returns to the club after 13 years away.
He left Werder Bremen after the end of his contract, having played there for six years. Since leaving Kiel in 2007, where he came through the youth teams, he has also played for Hansa Rostock and St. Pauli.
He made 50 appearances for his hometown club in his first spell, when they were still in the (then third-tier) Regionalliga Nord. He is now vastly experienced, with 170 Bundesliga appearances and 144 2. Bundesliga matches to his name.
The 33-year-old’s experience will help a young team that currently has an average age of 24.67. In fact, Bartels his also a year older than head coach Ole Werner.
Uwe Stöver, sporting director at Kiel, says that, as well as Bartels’s experience, his “footballing quality” will make him “an asset to the team” as well as providing another option in their attack.
“I am very happy about the opportunity to return to my home club,” says Bartels. He admits there is “a certain expectation” about coming back, but says will “treat this with respect, as well as great motivation and willingness.”
He will begin training with his new teammates on Friday following the required COVID-19 tests.
Header image source: Holstein Kiel.
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