Nicolas Höfler moves to Freiburg's second team

SC Freiburg have announced that Nicolas Höfler will no longer play for the first team from the 2026/27 season.

Instead, the veteran midfielder will drop down to Freiburg’s second team, which he represented early in his career.

“It feels a bit like coming home for me. I lived here at the Football School for four years and then played for the second team,” said Nicolas Höfler, who most recently started in Freiburg's Europea League 0-3 final defeat to Aston Villa.

“I have so many memories from that time. I still absolutely love playing football and, at the same time, I’m looking forward to passing on the experience I’ve gained over the past few years to the young players and supporting them on their journey.”

Martin Schweizer, the sporting director of the Freiburg Football School, added:

“We’re absolutely delighted that ‘Chicco’ will be strengthening our U23s from next season.With his experience and understanding of the game, he can play an enormously important role for our young players both on and off the pitch. Chicco knows SC Freiburg and the academy like few others, which makes it all the nicer that this journey is now coming full circle for him and for us.”