Player of the Season Awards: Holstein Kiel's Player of the Season
It's fair to say that no club who achieves promotion to the domestic topflight intends to go back down next season. Making their maiden bow in the Bundesliga, a plucky Holstein Kiel side made a fair good go of surviving. In the end, they fell just 4-points short of the play-off berth. A late season rally offered some hope and who knows what they might have pulled off if there had been a few more fixtures to fulfil. Regardless, the experience will remain as a taster for further motivation and a valuable step in the learning curve for Die Storche.
While several players enjoyed spells of consistency throughout the campaign, one name remained present across most matchdays. Shuto Machino is undoubtedly destined for big things in his career. Although reduced to cameo appearances at times early on, the 25-year-old became an indispensable part of Nicolai Rapp’s side after the winter break with his speed, agile nature and eye for goal.
The Japanese forward, capable of playing in attacking midfield or off the left, fired in 11 goals and provided 3 assists in 32 outings to demonstrate his ability. Kiel will be back in the 2.Bundesliga for 2025-26 with a clear goal of promotion. Should they manage to retain the services of Machino for another year, that goal becomes very achievable.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCE:
Machino rifled in a couple of braces this season but his efforts in the 5-1 trouncing of FC Augsburg on Matchday 15 soars well above the rest. Although the visitors opened the scoring inside 5 minutes through Alexis Claude-Maurice, a smart run off the defender’s shoulder allowed Machino to set up Rosenboom for a tap-in equaliser. Just after the half-hour, the Japanese forward’s cross found Phil Harres who headed past Labrovic.
Harres chipped in with the third before Machino netted the pick of the goals in the 39th-minute – a delightful freekick whipped over the wall from 28 yards left Kiel fans in raptures. The 25-year-old rounded off the perfect night when he slipped to the back post to convert from Magnus Knudsen’s squared pass in injury time.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Two other Kiel players picked up a solitary vote each from our writers. Alexander Bernhardsson registered 7 goals and 3 assists in 19 games for the Swedish striker. Meanwhile, veteran midfielder Steven Skrzybski endured a tricky season with Achilles and hamstring injuries but still chipped in with 6 goals and 3 assists.
