Official | Mainz re-unite former Union Berlin striker Sheraldo Becker with Urs Fischer, confirm two more transfer deadline transactions | OneFootball

FSV Mainz 05 scored a major coupon transfer deadline day, securing the services of former Union Berlin star Sheraldo Becker on loan. Die Nullfünfter also got tow additional transactions over the line shortly before the close of business. 

Becker made 140 appearances under Fischer at Union between 2019 and 2024, scoring 24 goals for die Eisernen. At his peak, the Dutch-Suriname striker was considered a €17m-valued player. 

Matters have cooled off significantly for the now 30-year-old since he moved to Real Sociedad on a €3m transfer two years ago. Becker scored only four goals for the Basque outfit. This past summer, he transferred to Osasuna, where he failed to score in nine league games.

Mainz react quickly to Benedict Hollerbach’s horror injury

Just when he was beginning to round himself into form, Mainz attacker Benedict Hollerbach had to be stretchered off during the weekend Bundesliga win over RB Leipzig. On Monday, Mainz confirmed season-ending ACL surgery for the summer addition, who also once played under Fischer at Union. Mainz were still buoyed by the fact that Hollerbach’s replacement, Silas, combined with fellow new winter addition Phillip Tietz to score the game-winning goal. 

Attacking bust Arnaud Nordin loaned out

As had been rumored, Mainz took steps to get French forward Arnaud Nordin off the payroll. One year after joining the Rheinhessen from Montpelier, Nordin still hasn’t scored for Mainz in 20 appearances. The 27-year-old will return to Stade Rennes on loan for the duration of the season. The French Olympic representative’s first stint outside of his native country hasn’t worked out at all.

Mainz sign and loan out another prospect

Mainz signed Finnish attacker Otto Ruoppi away from Finland’s Kuopion PS on a permanent basis but have loaned the 20-year-old back out to his old club for the duration of the season. Ruoppi cost Mainz a reported €1.5m, but will make way for Becker for now. 

Statements on Sheraldo Becker’s signing

“Sheraldo Becker knows the league and the coach very well,” Mainz sporting director Niko Bungert noted in a club statement. “We are delighted that we were able to find a solution at such short notice that doesn’t require a long settling-in period and brings further quality to our squad.“

“I’m delighted that it all worked out so quickly and that I’m returning to the Bundesliga,” Becker himself said. “I played almost all of my Bundesliga games under Urs Fischer and am happy to be working with him again. Now it’s all about getting as many points as possible in the relegation battle.”

GGFN | Peter Weis