Noah Atubolu has spoken openly about the transfer drama that brought him to Eintracht Frankfurt this summer. The 24-year-old goalkeeper moved from SC Freiburg to SGE on deadline day on an initial loan deal with an option and potential obligation to buy.
Atubolu explained in a press conference this week that the past few weeks had been very difficult. "It went so fast that I couldn't even think," he said about the final transfer. "I waited a very long time for this moment. Many weeks passed and I am very happy to now do what I love."
How did the transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt unfold?
The move only materialized in the final phase of the transfer window. Atubolu had previously turned down a contract extension in Freiburg and eyed a move. Concrete offers, for example from the Premier League, however, failed to materialize. As Eintracht Frankfurt apparently could not afford the transfer fee for an immediate purchase, the loan deal was agreed. For SGE, this is an important reinforcement, as Kevin Trapp was the only established goalkeeper according to the current squad data. Atubolu made his debut last weekend in the 3:3 draw against Union Berlin.
What did Atubolu say about the difficult period?
The national team goalkeeper left no doubt that the summer was stressful for him. "It's no secret that the things that happened over the summer were not so enjoyable," said Atubolu. He emphasized that things happened that "should not happen." The keeper trained individually away from the team during pre-season in Freiburg after the club had already signed a successor in Mio Backhaus. Atubolu made clear he was "not at all happy" with some of the proceedings during the transfer window but did not go into detail.
What role will Atubolu now play at Eintracht?
Coach Adi Hütter plans to use the 22-time German U21 international as the clear number one. Atubolu brings Bundesliga experience and is intended to bring more stability to the defense. Last season, Eintracht Frankfurt conceded 49 goals in 34 matches. The new keeper was enthusiastic about the club: "This is a great club that I really like. Maybe in the snapshot of last season not where it should be." His contract with SGE initially runs until the end of the 2026/27 season, with options for the future.
What's next for Eintracht Frankfurt on the pitch?
With Atubolu in goal, Eintracht Frankfurt wants to tackle the upcoming tasks. The team is currently mid-table in the Bundesliga standings with 4 points from 3 games. The next match is an away game at 1. FC Köln on September 13, 2026. This clash is traditionally an intense Rhine derby. Adi Hütter's team will hope that with a strengthened defense they can achieve better results and establish themselves in the upper third of the table. All upcoming fixtures can be found on the fixtures page.
