Kiel unveil first summer signing

Newly promoted Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel have reached into the German third division in order to claim their first signing for the coming top-flight season. Versatile defender Max Geschwill will join the Storks from 3. Liga side SV Sandhausen. The 22-year-old Schwäbisch Hall native came up through the Hoffenheim ranks before joining Sandhausen on a free last summer. His stock has risen after making 27 appearances and scoring two goals for the Rhein-Neckar club.

"With Max Geschwill, we are gaining a flexible defensive player who can play both in central defense and on the defensive flank," Kiel sporting director Carsten Wehlmann noted when discussing Geschwill's use as a center back and fullback this season, "We are convinced that he will take the next step with us."

Wehlmann - who previously oversaw Darmstadt's failed bid to maintain the class last season - has another tough task ahead of him with regard to Kiel's preparations for the German top flight. The North German club has already lost its captain to Borussia Mönchengladbach. While Kiel maintain hopes of retaining the services of Dortmund loanee Tom Rothe, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl has dropped hints that the Westphalians may have other plans for the 19-year-old Kiel starter.