Darmstadt confirm pick up of Mainz's Papela

Among a trio of players confirmed to be departing Mainz on expiring contracts this season, Merveille Papela has found his next club in the form of relegated Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98. The 23-year-old Mainz-native heads to the Lilies on a free transfer. Having also spent some time on loan at SV Sandhausen, the heavily capped German youth international now joins his third professional footballing station. 

Papela ended up making 17 appearances for the Mainz first team, including 11 deployments this past season. He played from the start on three occasions, yet never managed to look especially convincing. A poor performance in a start against Stuttgart on match-day 21 saw him yanked at the half. Papela did well during his loan stint in the second division, netting two goals in the 2. Bundesliga for Sandhausen in the 2022/23 season.

"Merveille Papela expands our options in midfield, as he is characterized by dynamic play and a high ball-winning rate," sporting director Paul Fernie noted in a statement, "We are convinced that Darmstadt is the right place for Merveille to develop his full potential."

"I like what has been built up here in Darmstadt in recent years," the player himself noted, "I'm now looking forward to being part of the club and the team and I'm excited to see what awaits me in training camp."