THW Kiel signs Swiss Lukas Laube as Pekeler's replacement!

THW Kiel signs Swiss Lukas Laube as Pekeler's replacement!

THW Kiel has reacted to the long-term injury of pivot Hendrik Pekeler and signed Lukas Laube. The 25-year-old is moving from TVB Stuttgart to the Fjord and signing a two-year contract. Pekeler, who tore his Achilles tendon, will be out for several months, which puts even more pressure on the team NDR reported.

The decision to choose Laube didn’t come overnight. THW managing director Viktor Szilagyi has already closely observed the 25-year-old Swiss. “We are convinced that he will be a valuable addition to our team,” explains Szilagyi, who hopes that Laube will be popular not only among British fans, but also among Kiel supporters. However, Laube will not occupy the position alone, but will share playing time with Petter Överby from Norway and Croatia's Veron Nacinovic.

Historical signing

With Laube, THW Kiel now has its first Swiss player. He has already had an eventful career: After moving from GC Amicitia Zurich to TVB Stuttgart at the beginning of February 2023, he suffered a serious knee injury a year later. Despite these setbacks, he fought his way back and is now considered an exciting signing for Kiel.

The terms of the transfer have not been published, but it is clear that it will be an economically challenging year for THW Kiel. The situation is particularly noteworthy because the club also had to say goodbye to Patrick Wiencek, a top performer, who announced the end of his career. Laube's commitment will also make Wiencek's possible return to active play unlikely.

Looking into the future

The fact that THW Kiel has decided on long-term planning can also be seen in other transfers. Squad planner Viktor Szilagyi has already made provisions for numerous new players for the following seasons. With Gonzalo Perez de Vargas, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and several other newcomers, such as Emil Madsen and Lukas Zerbe, the club wants to further consolidate its position in the Bundesliga. From the club's perspective, these transfers are particularly advantageous because they are free of charge and therefore have a positive impact on salaries and planning security South Germans points out.

It remains to be seen how successfully the Kiel team will deal with the new faces and the intense competition for the top of the league in the coming season. The fact is that THW Kiel has shown a good hand in squad planning in these turbulent times and has a promising new addition to its ranks in Lukas Laube.

THW Kiel fans will certainly be following the current developments with excitement, as the handball season promises to be interesting and varied!