Noah Atubolu has surprisingly found warm words for his former club SC Freiburg following a turbulent transfer summer. The goalkeeper, who stood between the posts for the Sport-Club last season, made his comments this week in a report by the German outlet Bild.
Atubolu experienced a difficult summer marked by agent disputes and a failed move to the English Premier League. Despite this turmoil, the 24-year-old looks back positively on his development in Freiburg. "I am glad that I found my way to Freiburg," Atubolu said verbatim. This statement comes shortly before the emotional encounter when he will face SC Freiburg with his new employer Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend.
What is SC Freiburg's current situation?
The Breisgau club has started the 2026/27 season with a flawless record. After the first matchday, SC Freiburg occupies second place in the Bundesliga table. Christian Streich's team has three points from one game and boasts a positive goal difference of 4:1. These strong numbers underscore the team's good form, which can be tracked live on our standings page.
However, the manager must do without several important players. Florent Muslija, Patrick Osterhage and Rihito Yamamoto are currently unavailable. Their injuries are documented on the injuries overview. These absences present a challenge for the upcoming tasks.
What does this mean for the next match?
Before the emotional duel against Atubolu's Frankfurt, Freiburg has an important away fixture to complete. On September 5, 2026, the Sport-Club faces SC Paderborn 07. The East Westphalians currently occupy eleventh place in the table. This match offers the chance to continue the series and collect more points in the fight for top positions. Fans can find the complete schedule on our fixtures page.
The encounter against Paderborn also gains importance against the backdrop of the personnel shortages. Christian Streich must plan his lineup without the injured players. Nevertheless, the squad has sufficient quality to master the task. The current goal output of four goals speaks to the team's offensive strength.
How did Atubolu's move to Frankfurt proceed?
The goalkeeper's transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt was anything but straightforward. For several weeks, uncertainties and negotiations dominated the headlines. A planned move to England fell through, leading to further speculation. Ultimately, however, Atubolu found a new sporting home in Frankfurt.
His public gratitude towards Freiburg shows that the connection to the Sport-Club has remained intact despite the transfer. For many fans, Atubolu remains a valued former player who developed into a Bundesliga goalkeeper at SC Freiburg. His career in Breisgau formed the foundation for his further path.
The preparation for the match against Paderborn on September 5 is already in full swing. The team wants to underline its successful season start with another victory.
