Darmstadt unveil first summer signing

Last-placed Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98 can be officially relegated this weekend should they lose to 16th-placed 1. FC Köln and 15th-placed FSV Mainz 05 pick up at least one point away at SC Freiburg. The Lilies - who have gone 22 consecutive matches without a win - have effectively been considered sure of the drop for a couple of weeks now. 

A new sporting director appointment to help the team prepare for the coming season was confirmed yesterday Englishman Paul Fernie, after just one day on the job, has already been able to introduce his first new acquisition. Twenty-three-year-old striker Fynn Lakenmacher will join the Lilies on a free from 1860 München. Lakenmacher has accrued six scorer points (four goals) in the current third division campaign. 

Lakekenmacher technically counts as Darmstadt's second summer signing. It was confirmed in late October that the Hessen-based side would sign VfB Stuttgart loanee Matej Maglica on a permanent basis. Lakenmacher is nevertheless the first player signed with the second division in mind. The 2. Bundesliga counts as a step up for Lakenmacher, who has hitherto played exclusively in the 3. Liga for 1860 and TSV Havelse.

"Fynn's style of play makes him a robust 'number nine' who looks for physical contact and can also latch onto balls," Fernie remarked in a statement accompanying the signing, "He also shows variability with clever movements behind his axis - a component that will also be important for our game. Fynn is hungry and ready to prove himself at the next level, and we have exactly the right environment for him to develop to the best of his ability."

"I'm happy to be moving to a traditional club whose home games are always sold out," the player himself added, ""I had very good talks with the people in charge, especially the coach. I was also impressed by the great facilities. At the same time, everything here in Darmstadt feels very authentic. I'm looking forward to an exciting new challenge."