After storming to the 2. Bundesliga title, Fortuna Düsseldorf are back in the top flight after five seasons away. This time, they will be looking to spend a little longer among they big boys, having gone straight back down in 2012/13. Here we take a look at three of the Flingeraner's new signings.
Marvin Ducksch (FC St. Pauli, €2)
A product of the academy at Borussia Dortmund, Marvin Ducksch was seen as a rising star, both for his club and for the German youth team. In 2013, he signed on professional terms for the Ruhr outfit, but things were less spectacular from that point on. After just six goalless appearances for BVB, Ducksch was loaned out to SC Paderborn 07, who were promptly relegated.
Having scored just one goal in nine outings for Paderborn, the young striker returned back to Dortmund, but only to the second team. A €250,000 move to second tier St. Pauli in the summer of 2016 was equally unproductive. After just six months at the Millerntor, Ducksch was out on loan again, this time to Holstein Kiel.
In just over one season at Kiel, Ducksch had turned things around. With 23 goals in 49 games for Die Störche ("The Storks"), he helped spearhead their run to the promotion playoff. His value also shot up, and St. Pauli were able to sell him for eight times what they had paid. In bringing the 24 year old to the Esprit Arena, Fortuna would break their own transfer record.
Davor Lovren (Dinamo Zagreb, €750,000)
If names mean anything, Fortuna may have picked up a bargain in the form of Croatian Davor Lovren. The younger brother of Liverpool's World Cup runner-up Dejan Lovren, the 19 year old arrived in Düsseldorf on loan last summer from Dinamo Zagreb, and has made the move permanent for a sum of 750,000 Euro.
Lovren made a slow start at the Esprit Arena, but by the second half of 2017/18 had started to establish himself in Friedhelm Funkel's table-topping lineup. In 14 appearances, he scored one goal and provided two assists.
The left-sided winger, born in Munich, has made solid progression through the junior ranks for Croatia. In all, he has racked up 35 appearances from Under-16 through to Under-19 level. The move to Düsseldorf, and the opportunity to play in a top league, could be the perfect springboard as the younger Lovren looks to take the next step in his development.
Diego Contento (Girondins de Bordeaux, free)
A product of the youth system at FC Bayern München, Diego Contento was once seen as a long-term prospect for Die Roten. His transition into the senior squad was smooth enough, but after making just 49 appearance in four seasons, the Munich native decided to move on. His dream was to play in Serie A for Napoli, but instead made his way to French Ligue Un side Bordeaux for one million Euro.
Despite playing youth-level football for Germany, Contento had later dreamed of playing for his parents' home country, Italy. Sadly, these international ambitions failed to materialise. While his dreams of playing on the biggest stage may have eluded him, Contento has become a solid league level professional. In his four seasons in France, the left-back has played 74 matches, with two goals.
One might have expected the 28 year old to look for a club in Italy, but instead he has decided to move back to Germany. In signing for Fortuna Düsseldorf on a free transfer, he may have made the perfect move. For coach Funkel, it is a great piece of business. Without having to spend any money, he has a solid left-back with plenty of top level experience.
For more Bundesliga fun stuff, check out my Little Bundesliga Book project. Copies of the 2016 pocket book are still available, with the aim of raising funds for a new edition at the end of this season.
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