Eintracht Frankfurt have signed goalkeeper Noah Atubolu from SC Freiburg. The 24-year-old joins initially on loan, with the deal containing an obligation to buy if certain conditions are met.
Atubolu's contract at Freiburg was set to run until 2027. He had previously expressed a desire for a new challenge, preferably in the Premier League. However, no concrete offer from England materialized. Meanwhile, Freiburg had secured a successor in Mio Backhaus from Werder Bremen. Goalkeepers Kaua Santos and Michael Zetterer failed to convince during pre-season and in the German Cup.
Why did Atubolu leave Freiburg?
The move came as a surprise to many. Atubolu even extended his contract at Freiburg before departing. Freiburg coach Julian Schuster commented on the unusual transaction structure, saying, "What I can confirm is that this can be a model for a future solution." For SC Freiburg, the focus now shifts to their Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen on Sunday. The Breisgau club had previously safely qualified for the Conference League proper after dispatching Motherwell.
Atubolu could make his debut for Eintracht Frankfurt as early as Saturday in their Bundesliga season opener at Union Berlin. The Eagles started their campaign with a 1-1 draw and sit in eighth place in the table with one point. Their goal difference is even, with three goals scored and three conceded. In the title race, they trail leaders Bayern München by two points.
What did Atubolu say about the move?
The new goalkeeper expressed his excitement about the move to Frankfurt. "I am very happy to be here and can hardly wait to get started at Eintracht Frankfurt," said Atubolu. "I know the city, the club and the stadium and have always experienced the matches here as something special." His anticipation is high, and he brings Bundesliga experience with him.
How does Atubolu fit into the current squad?
The signing significantly strengthens the goalkeeper position at Eintracht Frankfurt. Atubolu brings top-flight experience and is expected to add stability to the back line. The Eagles have already conceded three goals this season, highlighting the need for a secure last line of defense. The full team statistics and current league table can be found on our standings page.
Eintracht Frankfurt's next fixture is against FC Augsburg at home on September 6, 2026. Augsburg have started strongly and currently sit fourth in the table. All of the team's upcoming matches are listed on our fixtures calendar. In this context, Atubolu could quickly assume an important role in the Eintracht Frankfurt squad, the composition of which you can view on our squad page.
