Fortuna Düsseldorf sign Bundesliga veteran Philipp Förster (31) | OneFootball

Fortuna Düsseldorf – recently relegated to Germany’s third footballing tier – have added substantial Bundesliga experience to their midfield by signing Philipp Förster on a free transfer.

The 31-year-old has agreed a one-year contract through June 2027 and will wear the No. 10 shirt. Förster arrives following a season at Karlsruher SC in which he made 27 appearances and supplied four assists.

His résumé nevertheless extends well beyond the second tier. Förster made his Bundesliga debut for VfB Stuttgart in October 2020 after helping the Swabians secure promotion. He subsequently established himself as a useful component of Pellegrino Matarazzo’s flexible attacking system, operating as a central attacking midfielder, wide option and supporting runner.

Stuttgart later described Förster as an important figure during both their promotion campaign and first season back in the top flight. He departed for Bochum in 2022 after making 76 competitive appearances for VfB, registering eight goals and seven assists.

Förster’s first Bochum campaign produced several memorable contributions. He scored once and created the other two goals in a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, struck during a 5-2 win over Hoffenheim and opened the scoring against Bayer Leverkusen on the final day as Bochum secured Bundesliga survival.

What can Philipp Förster bring to Fortuna Düsseldorf?

Förster’s value lies in his work as a technically secure, hard-working midfielder rather than a conventional luxury No. 10. Alongside Kevin Stöger, he often operated as one of two advanced central midfielders supporting Bochum’s attack while helping maintain structure behind the ball.

He leaves the top two divisions with 83 Bundesliga appearances and eight goals, plus 137 second-tier appearances and 16 goals.

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

GGFN | Peter Weis