Interpreter duties and goalkeeping: Mio Backhaus’s dual role at Freiburg

At the Austrian training camp of SC Freiburg, 22‑year‑old goalkeeper Mio Backhaus found himself translating questions for the club’s new Japanese players, a role that sits alongside his appointment as the team’s first‑choice keeper after his May 23 move from Werder Bremen.

Backhaus is the son of a German father and a Japanese mother, and he spent part of his childhood in Japan, which makes him fluent in Japanese.

The 22‑year‑old joined SC Freiburg—both on and off the pitch—from Werder Bremen on May 23 and is expected to begin the new campaign as the club’s first‑choice goalkeeper in the Bundesliga.

Beyond his duties between the posts, Backhaus has taken on the role of integration assistant for Freiburg’s rapidly growing Japanese contingent, helping them settle into a new country, league and locker room.

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During a media session at the Austrian training camp, a planned AI interpreter with special headphones malfunctioned, prompting Backhaus to step in and provide live translation for the Japanese players.

“I didn’t know that the other two were still coming,” Backhaus said. “But I’m happy whenever I can help away from the pitch. They know that they can always approach me.”

The Japanese trio includes Rihito Yamamoto, Keisuke Goto and Yuito Suzuki, who arrived after the summer and are also improving their English, meaning Backhaus is not the sole language bridge.

Backhaus previously helped fellow Japanese international Yukinari Sugawara settle at Werder Bremen, travelling to the training ground on a day off after Sugawara’s invitation; Sugawara later called the goalkeeper an important teammate and friend.

Having claimed the No. 1 shirt at Bremen last season and starting 32 of 34 Bundesliga fixtures, Backhaus also featured for Germany’s U21 side during the March international break and remains committed to a senior German international career, making his interpreter duties an unusual subplot to a significant career move at Freiburg.