Exiting stars Hrgota and Futkeu relieved to depart Fürth on a final high

Departing club legend Branimir Hrgota could hardly hold back the tears as he celebrated preserving Greuther Fürth's 2.Bundesliga status with victory over Rot-Weiss Essen tonight.

“There's so much at stake in a game like this. Because it's also about the fans and the people who work here if we don't turn the game around," the Swede said post-match. 

"The team has gone through a lot of tough times all season. Today we managed to score two goals and we also played very well defensively.

“It's simply wonderful that the club is staying in the second division – for me too, that it doesn't end with relegation. Now we'll all celebrate together; it will be a great moment,” he added. 

Meanwhile, another name heading for the Bavarian club's exit door this summer in Noel Futkeu shared his emotions after a dramatic night at the Sportpark Ronhof. 

“The whole club has grown on me. The people here, the environment, have become very dear to me. That's why I'm definitely leaving with mixed feelings," Futkeu said at full-time.

"I also owe my personal successes to the lads. That's why we all managed to achieve this together today. This is how I wanted to leave the club, with securing our place in the league. 

"We put in a wonderful performance today; we knew what to expect. But I also knew exactly how strong we are at home and what kind of performances we've shown here this season.

"We carried that confidence with us. We knew perfectly well that we had to be patient, but we knew: sooner or later we'd score. After the first goal, things changed quite a bit.

“We were a little nervous at the end, but today we also had a bit of luck on our side,” explained the 23-year-old marksman who once donned the red and white of opponents Essen.