News Focus
- Budu Zivzivadze wins 1. FC Heidenheim Player of the Season award
- The Georgian striker scored six Bundesliga goals during the 2025-26 campaign
- Heidenheim suffer relegation to 2. Bundesliga after three seasons in top flight
- Captain Patrick Mainka and loanee Arijon Ibrahimović also receive multiple votes
1. FC Heidenheim have named Budu Zivzivadze as their Player of the Season. The Georgian forward receives this honour despite the club dropping out of the Bundesliga.
The side from Baden-Württemberg could not repeat their great escape from last term. A 2-0 defeat against Mainz on the final day brought their three-year stay in Germany’s top division to a close.
Zivzivadze battled hard to keep the team up. The 32-year-old found the net six times in total. Five of those goals came in the final six matches of the season. Like many of his colleagues, he faced difficult spells earlier in the campaign. However, he discovered his best form when the pressure mounted.
The attacker will now ply his trade in the second tier. His profile fits the demands of that division perfectly. At six feet two inches tall, he provides a strong physical presence. He holds up the ball well, dominates in the air, and contributes to defensive duties. These attributes should serve Heidenheim well as they chase promotion.
The highlight of his season arrived against Bayern Munich. On Matchday 32, he struck twice in a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Allianz Arena. He first stretched to divert Marnon Busch’s header past Jonas Urbig. Later, he cut inside Michael Olise and bent a fine finish over the goalkeeper. Eren Dinkçi had earlier put Heidenheim two goals up. Leon Goretzka levelled for the hosts with a brace. A late deflected effort from Olise denied the visitors a historic victory.
Club captain Patrick Mainka also earned recognition. He secured three votes from our writing team for his defensive work. The 31-year-old ranked sixth in the league for duels won with 345. He maintained an 88.65 per cent pass accuracy rate. He featured in every single minute and collected just one yellow card. He also chipped in with two goals.
Bayern Munich loanee Arijon Ibrahimović received three nominations as well. The youngster managed two goals and four assists during his spell.