Noah Atubolu risks season on bench after Freiburg cut ties

Noah Atubolu could miss a crucial transfer window after SC Freiburg made clear he will not play for the club again because he refused to extend his contract, which runs until 2027. Sport Bild sums up the situation bluntly: "He's completely gambled it all away." The 24-year-old had hoped for a Premier League move, but no concrete offer has arrived and that destination is on hold.

Freiburg moved quickly after the European Cup final loss to Aston Villa, telling Atubolu he would be replaced. Mio Backhaus is arriving from Werder Bremen as the new number one for a reported club-record fee of €12 million, with Florian Müller set to act as backup.

If Atubolu does not find a new club before the window closes, he risks spending the season on the bench. The club says the decision is final, citing what those in charge call "too little respect" during protracted contract talks. Disappointment runs deep: despite some costly mistakes in his first Bundesliga season in 2023/24, Freiburg had previously defended him.

Germany, Freiburg

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