SC Freiburg parts ways with Noah Atubolu – what’s behind the decision?
SC Freiburg has excluded Noah Atubolu from team training. The 24-year-old goalkeeper is now permanently sidelined after a months-long contract dispute and has no future at the club. The decision follows escalating tensions over contract terms. Freiburg sporting director Klemens Hartenbach confirmed Atubolu will no longer be part of the first team.
Why did Freiburg sideline Atubolu?
Atubolu, under contract since 2019, refused to sign a new deal. Talks collapsed over contract length and financial terms. Hartenbach said the club made a fair offer Atubolu rejected. „We tried everything, but an agreement wasn’t possible,“ the sporting director said. Atubolu had already been training with the second team and made no Bundesliga appearances last season.
What does this mean for Freiburg?
The Atubolu situation strains Freiburg’s squad planning. The club must now find a solution to fill the goalkeeping void. Freiburg currently has just two keepers: 33-year-old Robin Zentner and 35-year-old Philipp Pentke. Zentner, the starter, played 34 Bundesliga games last season. Pentke made two appearances. Finding a new goalkeeper won’t be easy, as the transfer window only reopens in summer.
What’s next for Atubolu?
Atubolu now faces a career crossroads. Without a Freiburg contract, he must look for a new club. He could move within the Bundesliga or abroad. A switch to the 2. Bundesliga is also possible, as several teams seek goalkeeping upgrades. His contract runs until 30 June 2026, but Freiburg will not use him. A winter transfer is unlikely, as the club has no intention of keeping him.
