Former Werder Bremen and SC Freiburg goalkeeper Sebastian Mielitz has signed for 2. Bundesliga outfit Greuther Fürth on a free, following the relegation of SC Freiburg from the first tier.
The 25 year old, who made just two appearances for die Breisgauer following his summer switch to Südbaden last year, both in the early stages of the DFB-Pokal, is seen as a replacement for the outgoing Fürth number one Wolfgang Hesl, who has recently completed a move to newly promoted club Arminia Bielefeld.
Mielitz looks set to get his chance as a first-choice 'keeper
Mielitz has never quite looked comfortable at Bundesliga level, shipping 129 goals in all competitions over the duration of just 70 games in his spells at Bremen and Freiburg. His spells at both clubs have been characterised by struggling to gain the full confidence of his manager; sat behind Tim Wiese at Bremen during the early years of his career before struggling for the jersey with Raphael Wolf after the former German international left for Hoffenheim in 2012, Mielitz eventually left Bremen in 2014 but didn’t find things any easier at Freiburg, where he was stuck behind the excellent Roman Bürki.
However, given playing time and the confidence of Fürth’s head coach, which is expected to be Stefan Ruthenbeck, Mielitz could well yet come good on the early promise which saw him make three appearances for Germany U20s in the late noughties.
Mielitz and Mutzel give their thoughts on the move
Mielitz has signed a two year deal at the Franconian club, with Sporting Director Michael Mutzel stating that the club are “convinced of his potential”. According to Mutzel, Mielitz is an “ambitious goalkeeper, who’d like to show what he’s made of with us.”
Mielitz himself said “I’d like to perform here as I’ve already proven I can”, describing Fürth as “the absolutely correct next step” in his career. To Fürth’s official website, he said “I’m very happy that the transfer has happened”.