Fortuna Düsseldorf lock in Bundesliga veteran on June 2027 deal

A one‑year contract running through June 2027 sees 31‑year‑old Philipp Förster join Fortuna Düsseldorf on a free transfer, taking the No. 10 shirt as the German club rebuilds after relegation to the third tier of German football and aims to bounce back swiftly.

The signing adds substantial Bundesliga experience to a side that was recently relegated to Germany’s third footballing tier. Fortuna Düsseldorf hope the veteran’s pedigree will help them challenge for promotion.

Förster arrives from Karlsruher SC, where he featured in 27 matches last season and contributed four assists. His performances in the 2. Bundesliga demonstrated his ability to influence games from midfield.

He made his Bundesliga debut for VfB Stuttgart in October 2020 after helping the Swabians secure promotion. The October appearance marked the start of his top‑flight career in Germany.

At Stuttgart, he became a key element in Pellegrino Matarazzo’s flexible attacking system, operating as a central attacking midfielder, a wide option and a supporting runner. The club later described him as an important figure during both their promotion campaign and first season back in the top flight.

In 2022, Förster moved to Bochum, where he accumulated 76 competitive appearances, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists. His time at Bochum featured several memorable contributions, including a goal and two assists in a 3‑0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, a strike in a 5‑2 victory over Hoffenheim, and the opening goal against Bayer Leverkusen on the final day of the season.

Overall, he leaves the top two German divisions with 83 Bundesliga appearances and eight goals, alongside 137 second‑tier appearances and 16 goals. These figures underline his extensive experience across both levels of German football.

Fortuna sporting director Samir Arabi believes Förster’s left foot and creativity can make a decisive difference for the club. For a Düsseldorf side rebuilding after relegation, his experience of promotion races and Bundesliga survival battles could prove equally valuable as they pursue an immediate return to Germany’s second tier.

The signing reflects a broader market trend where clubs outside the top flight secure seasoned Bundesliga players on free transfers to bolster their squads without large expenditures. Fortuna Düsseldorf’s acquisition of Förster exemplifies this strategic approach in the German football landscape.