Again a lot of transfer operations at Hannover 96: Linton Maina (22) goes, Max Besuschkow (24) comes.
Cologne grabs Maina
It has been clear for months that Maina will leave 96 at the end of the season after eight years. Now it is also clear where to go.
The winger is free and the first newcomer from FC coach Steffen Baumgart (50). After the difficult second division season at 96, Maina will even play in Europe in the future. On the last day of the game it will be decided whether the Europa League or “only” the Conference League will work out.
The farewell from Hanover does not come as a surprise, but the destination does. So far, Augsburg has been the favourite. Hometown club Hertha was also hot.
In Hanover, the sensitive Maina has not given any interviews for months because he found the reporting too critical. Have fun at FC – in the media city of Cologne he will have to adjust to even rougher tones.
Nevertheless, the change could fit. The FC want more speed on the outside positions. Maina had the fifth best speed in the 2nd division this season with 35.62 km/h.
Coach and foster father Christoph Dabrowski (43) thinks Maina’s move to the Bundesliga is important: “It’s right for Linton to get out of the comfort zone and get new impetus, to have to prove himself more again. Linton knows he has what it takes for the Bundesliga. He has already proven that. It’s about consistency at a high level.”
Besuschkow comes from Regensburg
Maina goes, Besushkov comes. He was the desired commitment for central midfield. The former U19 international is a top performer in Regensburg (32 appearances, five goals, four assists), signed at 96 until 2025.
96 sports director Marcus Mann: “We are happy to welcome Max, a player who has played almost 100 second division games in the last three years, in which he was also regularly involved in goals. He is a very sure-footed player and, at 24, fits perfectly into the team’s target age structure, from which we hope to see positive development in the future.”
Besuschkow: “Hannover 96 is a club with great appeal, which is very important to the people in the region. There is a plan for the next few years that was shown to me in the talks and with which I can fully identify. I’m looking forward to walking this path together with Hannover 96.”
