Football Season Guide

Holstein Kiel would have been slightly disappointed not to have made a challenge for promotion given the capabilities they had but overall another solid season can only be positive moving forward. The losses of key midfielders Kinsombi, Karazor and Schindler will have hurt Kiel as they look to build on last year. Okugawa, Benes and Honsak will also be missed as they return to their respective clubs after being on loan. The signing of David Atanga will be a big plus given his impressive displays in this division last year for Greuther as will keeping hold of influential midfielder Jae-Sung Lee. Signing striker Daniel Hanslik on a free could prove good business as well given his potential. Kiel manager Andre Schubert has also dipped into the market for young fresh faces with the arrival of Baku on the left wing, Neumann at right-back and Iyoha and Lauberbach up front. Young-Jae Seo has been brought from Duisburg to provide cover for left-back Van den Bergh and Greek goalkeeper Gelios will be fighting it out with Weiner and Reimann for a start between the sticks. Holstein Kiel strengths will be the threat going forward again this season with key figure Jae-Sung Lee and new signing Atanga pulling the strings. The loss of key players especially in the middle of the park could prove a weakness as the season goes on.