• Real Sociedad are competing to sign SC Freiburg’s promising goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.
• Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo, who took charge in December, is driving the pursuit of German shot-stoppers.
• The potential arrival hinges on current first-choice Álex Remiro, who is in talks with SSC Napoli over a summer departure.
• Alternative targets for the Basque club include Finn Dahmen, Bernd Leno, and Steven Benda.

Spanish top-flight side Real Sociedad have thrown their hat into the ring to secure the services of SC Freiburg’s highly-rated goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo.

The Basque club’s interest stems from the preferences of head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The American tactician, who assumed control at the Anoeta Stadium last December, has identified the young German as his primary target to stand between the posts next season.

Matarazzo appears to possess a specific fondness for custodians from the Bundesliga. Sources indicate that he is also keeping tabs on Mainz’s Finn Dahmen and Fulham’s Bernd Leno as viable alternatives. Additionally, Swansea City’s Steven Benda, who recently completed a loan spell at Dutch outfit Feyenoord Rotterdam, remains under consideration.

The urgency to recruit fresh goalkeeping talent links directly to the uncertain future of current first-choice Álex Remiro. The 29-year-old Spaniard is reportedly engaged in advanced negotiations with Italian giants SSC Napoli regarding a move this summer.

Napoli have allegedly proposed a swap arrangement involving their own keeper Alex Meret. However, the Italian international is understood to be reluctant about relocating to San Sebastián, potentially complicating Remiro’s exit and Sociedad’s subsequent recruitment plans.

• Noah Atubolu will depart SC Freiburg during the summer transfer window.
• The club tried for six months to extend his contract beyond 2027.
• Mio Backhaus has already joined from Werder Bremen as his replacement.
• Premier League, Serie A and other Bundesliga clubs are interested in signing the goalkeeper.
• Atubolu came through the Freiburg academy and became first-choice keeper at age 21.

SC Freiburg have officially confirmed that goalkeeper Noah Atubolu will leave the club this summer. The 22-year-old German shot-stopper will move on after the club failed to agree a new contract with him.

Jochen Saier, the sporting director, spoke to German outlet Kicker about the situation. He said they held regular meetings with Atubolu over the past six months. They made strong efforts to extend his deal, but both sides have now agreed a transfer is best.

Freiburg have already secured a replacement. They signed Mio Backhaus from SV Werder Bremen to take over between the posts.

Saier revealed that club officials spoke with Atubolu personally after the Europa League final. They told him he could now plan his future with his agents. The keeper is free to find a new club that suits his career goals.

Several top European teams are tracking the young keeper. Clubs from the Premier League, Serie A and the German top flight have all shown interest in recent months.

The Freiburg director praised Atubolu as a local talent who joined their academy at a young age. He noted that they gave him the number one shirt when he was just 21. Saier described the move as the end of a successful story for both the player and the club.

• SC Freiburg agree terms to sign Mio Backhaus from Werder Bremen
• Transfer fee set at approximately €15 million
• 22-year-old goalkeeper will sign contract until 2031
• Move may prompt current keeper Noah Atubolu to exit the club

SC Freiburg have reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Mio Backhaus from Werder Bremen. The Bundesliga side will pay around €15 million for the 22-year-old.

Sky Germany reports that the deal is close to completion. Backhaus will sign a six-year contract that runs until 2031.

The German shot-stopper is set to swap clubs within the top flight. Werder Bremen have accepted the offer for their young keeper.

His arrival at Freiburg may force current number one Noah Atubolu to leave. The Breisgau side’s keeper has attracted interest from several European clubs.

Serie A giants AC Milan and Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion are both tracking Atubolu. They could make offers if the keeper becomes available.

• Mio Backhaus agrees to join SC Freiburg from Werder Bremen
• Transfer fee of €15 million plus €3 million bonuses makes him Freiburg’s record signing
• German goalkeeper rejects interest from Premier League clubs
• Contract until 2031 agreed according to Sky Germany
• Move signals likely exit for current Freiburg keeper Noah Atubolu

SC Freiburg look set to beat English Premier League clubs to the signature of Mio Backhaus. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has chosen to stay in Germany rather than move abroad.

According to reports from Sport BILD and Sky Germany, the Europa League finalists have reached an agreement with the shot-stopper. He will sign a contract that runs until 2031.

The transfer will cost Freiburg €15 million upfront. They may pay another €3 million in bonuses later. This makes Backhaus the most expensive player in the club’s history.

Werder Bremen will make their largest ever profit from selling a goalkeeper. The deal is likely to be announced officially within the next few days.

This signing probably means Noah Atubolu will leave Freiburg. The club is unlikely to spend record money on a goalkeeper to sit on the bench. Atubolu appears to have played his final match for the club in Istanbul.

• Emiliano Martínez praises SC Freiburg shot-stopper Noah Atubolu before the final
• The Aston Villa keeper seeks his first trophy since joining the Midlands club in 2020
• Both goalkeepers boast strong records when facing penalties in crucial matches
• Martínez prepares carefully to handle Freiburg’s danger from set-pieces

Emiliano Martínez has spoken highly of Noah Atubolu ahead of Wednesday’s Europa League final showdown. Aston Villa will face SC Freiburg in the prestigious decider.

The Argentine World Cup winner moved to Villa Park four years ago. He now hopes to secure his first major honour with the English side.

Martínez compared this final to his early career with the national team. “I entered my first Copa América without seeing my country lift a trophy. This situation feels identical. I trust my team-mates and my own ability. I never approach a final with pressure to win. Instead, I enjoy the occasion. I play for the supporters and for my family.”

The 33-year-old has earned fame for saving spot-kicks during high-pressure moments. He noticed that Atubolu enjoys similar success. The 23-year-old German has stopped the last five penalties he faced in the Bundesliga. He also blocked Rodrigo Zalazar during the semi-final victory against Braga.

“Their goalkeeper is excellent, so I must work even harder,” said Martínez regarding a possible shootout. “I think about this constantly. I will prepare completely. I back myself fully for that situation.”

The keeper also addressed Freiburg’s threat from corners and free-kicks. He mentioned Argentina’s victory over Colombia in the Copa América final. Colombia scored most of their goals from set-pieces during that tournament.

“I know Freiburg are very strong in this area,” he explained. “If I control my box properly and command my area, I can remove this danger. Hopefully, I will perform well in that aspect during the match.”

• SC Braga seized a narrow first-leg advantage in Germany thanks to a stoppage-time winner from substitute Mario Dorgeles.
• Referee Anthony Taylor faced heavy criticism for allowing Freiburg’s equaliser despite a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity seconds earlier.
• Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu saved a first-half penalty but his uncertain handling proved costly in the final moments.

SC Freiburg must overturn a first-leg deficit in the return fixture after suffering a heartbreaking home defeat to SC Braga. The German side appeared set for a draw until a goalkeeping error in the dying seconds changed the tie.

The visitors stunned the home crowd at the Europa-Park Stadion with an early strike. Demir Ege Tıknaz opened the scoring inside the opening minutes, capitalising on a defensive mix-up by Jordy Makengo to convert a low cross from Víctor Gómez.

Freiburg responded through Vincenzo Grifo, who notched his third goal of the knockout phase. However, the equaliser sparked major controversy. Just moments before the finish, Braga midfielder Vítor Carvalho hauled down Igor Matanović as the last defender, yet English referee Anthony Taylor played advantage rather than showing a straight red card.

The hosts suffered further setbacks when Braga captain Ricardo Horta left the pitch with an injury, forcing coach Carlos Vicens into an early reshuffle. Freiburg nearly took the lead when Philipp Lienhart conceded a penalty for a foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke, but 23-year-old shot-stopper Noah Atubolu produced a brilliant save to deny Rodrigo Zalazar from the spot. This marked Atubolu’s sixth penalty save from ten attempts for the club.

The second half produced fewer clear chances, though Maximilian Eggestein forced a smart stop from Lukáš Horníček. Freiburg also saw penalty appeals waved away after a challenge on Makengo.

As the match entered its closing stages, Braga poured forward. Lienhart breathed a sigh of relief after avoiding a second penalty concession and possible dismissal for a foul on substitute Fran Navarro. However, the Portuguese side found their winner in the final moments. Carvalho tested Atubolu with a low drive, but the goalkeeper spilled the effort into the path of substitute Mario Dorgeles, who smashed home the rebound.

Freiburg will look to bounce back in their Bundesliga clash with Wolfsburg before making the trip to Portugal for the decisive second leg. Braga, meanwhile, face Estoril Praia domestically before defending their narrow lead at the Estádio Municipal de Braga.

• Noah Atubolu has accepted responsibility for the stoppage-time blunder that condemned SC Freiburg to defeat in Portugal
• The goalkeeper lost sight of the ball before substitute Mario Dorgeles struck the winner deep into added time
• Atubolu earlier denied Rodrigo Zalazar from the penalty spot to keep the Bundesliga side level at the interval

SC Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has shouldered the blame for his costly error that handed Sporting Braga a last-minute victory in their European knockout tie.

The 22-year-old German shot-stopper suffered a nightmare finish to the first leg. He failed to deal with a late cross in injury time, allowing substitute Mario Dorgeles to smash home the decisive goal. The 21-year-old winger capitalised on a rebound after Atubolu had initially blocked a tame effort from Vítor Carvalho.

“I could not see the ball,” Atubolu explained to RTL following the final whistle. “Philipp Lienhart was standing directly in front of me, or perhaps beside me. That was the difficulty.”

Earlier in the contest, the keeper produced a moment of brilliance to maintain the deadlock. He guessed correctly to save a first-half penalty from Rodrigo Zalazar, denying the former Bundesliga forward from twelve yards.

However, the late blunder proved fatal for the visitors. Head coach Julian Schuster expressed frustration with his team’s defensive lapses. “We did not defend well during the crucial moments when we were punished,” he stated. “We can perform better, and we must improve before the return leg.”

The result leaves SC Freiburg facing an uphill battle when they welcome the Portuguese side to Germany next week.