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2w ago

Fan Zhendong Joins 1. FC Saarbrücken for Next Bundesliga Season

After a public dispute with table tennis authorities that sidelined him from recent global events, the Chinese champion seeks a fresh start in Germany.

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Die Champions-League-Sieger des 1.FC Saarbrücken
Fan Zhendong holt in Paris Einzel-Gold
Der Tischtennis-Olympiasieger Fan Zhendong bei einem Match

Overview

  • The club officially announced Fan Zhendong’s signing on June 1 during the Champions League final event in Düsseldorf.
  • The 27-year-old withdrew from international play after a late-2024 clash with the ITTF and WTT, missing major events including the World Championships in Qatar.
  • Fan spent 58 months as world No. 1 and claimed World Championship singles titles in 2021 and 2023 as well as Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.
  • Manager Nicolas Barrois described the acquisition as an absolute milestone for Saarbrücken and a significant boost for German and European table tennis.
  • Fan Zhendong said he is eager for the new challenge and will be available for all competitions next season.