Darmstadt 98 brings Leon Klassen: return of the talent from Denmark!

Darmstadt 98 brings Leon Klassen: return of the talent from Denmark!

In an exciting transfer coup, SV Darmstadt 98 has strengthened its squad: 25-year-old left-back Leon Klassen is moving back to Germany from the Danish club Lyngby BK. This means someone is returning to the 2nd Bundesliga who was previously trained in the youth teams of 1. FC Köln and TSV 1860 Munich. The exact terms of the contract have not been announced, but Klassen says he is overjoyed to land at a traditional club like Darmstadt 98 and to achieve his goal of returning to Germany. “When the contact came about, I said yes straight away,” he explains enthusiastically.

Darmstadt's sports director, Paul Fernie, is also happy with the new addition. He describes Klassen as a technically adept and strong full-back whose playing style fits perfectly into the Lilies' concept. Fernie particularly emphasizes Klassen's intensity and commitment, which helped him develop greatly last season in the Danish Superliga. “Leon will definitely strengthen our defense,” says Fernie.

Classes' career: A look back

Before moving to Darmstadt, Klassen played in various leagues. After his time at 1860 Munich and 19 appearances in the 3rd division, he moved to WSG Tirol in Austria in 2021, where he provided six assists in 20 games. In January 2022 he moved to Spartak Moscow, where he spent around two and a half years. He ultimately joined Lyngby BK, where he made 23 appearances last season and demonstrated his balance on the pitch.

Klassen not only brings experience at a high level, but also a strong connection to German football culture. Not only did he train in Cologne, but he also played for the Russian national team at junior level. During this time he was able to gain valuable experience that he would now like to bring to Darmstadt.

Spatial changes in the squad

As part of these changes, the club has also confirmed another departure: Andreas Müller is moving to Karlsruher SC. The 24-year-old, who played a total of 46 competitive games for the Darmstadt team, has expressed a wish that the club respects. “We agreed to the change in order to also strengthen our income side,” said Fernie. Müller also originally had a contract until summer 2026 and will now look for a new challenge at KSC.

These transfers are part of a larger restructuring process within the 2nd Bundesliga this transfer period. According to Transfermarkt there are numerous transfers this season, with 325 departures and 338 additions. The transfer balance shows income of 130.17 million euros, while expenses are 69.18 million euros. The average age of the newcomers is 21.4 years, which indicates a youthful dynamic in the teams.

So there is reason to be happy for the fans of Darmstadt 98. The return of Leon Klassen could not only stabilize the Lilies' defense, but also bring a breath of fresh air into the team. The upcoming preparatory games promise exciting insights into future performance under the new coaching team.