Kaiserslautern complete "Triple Transfer Tuesday" with pick-ups of Simakala, Abiama, and Ronstadt
An extremely busy day on the Betzenberg Hill saw 2. Bundesliga side 1. FC Kaiserslautern sign three new players on the second day of the January 2024 transfer window.
A few days after shipping striker Filip Stojilkovic to 1. FC Kaiserslautern on loan, last-placed Bundesliga side SV Darmstadt 98 have sent another one of their little-used professionals to the Pfälzer Red Devils. Twenty-six-year-old right fullback/wingback Frank Ronstadt - who made just four relief appearances for the Lilies this season - was sold to Lautern for an undisclosed amount. Presumably Darmstadt were able to obtain some cash for one of their many players sitting on expiring contracts.
"We've been watching Frank for some time," FCK manager Thomas Henge noted in a statement, "We originally planned talks for the summer, but fortunately we were able to reach an agreement with Darmstadt earlier. Frank can be deployed both defensively and offensively on the wing and is very good on set pieces."
The traditional Palatinate Powerhouse were also able to compete two other signings on Tuesday, just the second day of the January 2024 transfer window. Two more strikers will join Stojilkovic as winter additions. SpVgg Greuther Fürth forward Dickson Abiama joined the club on a permanent transfer. Holstein Kiel Ba-Muaka Simakala will head to the club on loan.
Simkala actually made one Bundesliga appearance with Borussia Mönchengladbach during the 2016/17 Bundesliga campaign. The 26-year-old is most known for his 2022/23 promotion campaign with VfL Osnabrück, during which he scored 19 goals in the 3. Liga.
Abiama has brings with him 24 top flight appearances during the 2021/22 campaign with Fürth. The Nigerian famously shot Fürth into the Bundesliga with a dramatic late goal against Düsseldorf at on the final match-day of the 2022/23 2. Bundesliga campaign.
With three new strikers added to the roster, rumors now abound that two FCK center-forwards are on their way out. Strikers Terrance Boyd and Lex-Tyger Lobinger are thought to be on the lookout for new clubs. Reports that Boyd asked for his contract to be terminated have nevertheless been denied.